LARKANA: A huge swa­rm of locusts invaded different parts of Larkana district, including the Bhu­tto estate in Naudero, on Tues­day causing damage to guava orchards, the recently sown wheat crop and late varieties of paddy.

Sirajul Auliya Rashdi, the Larkana district president of the Sindh Chamber of Agri­culture, speaking to Dawn said that guava orch­ards in Aghani, Chuhar­­pur, Paro-jo-Goth and other areas were being devoured by the pest at the crop’s near-mat­ure stage.

The farming community looks quite helpless and worried about damage to their crops at this stage as the losses caused by such a huge swarm of locusts would definitely run in millions, according to him.

Locusts’ swarms also devoured seasonal vegetable crops, particularly tomatoes and ladyfinger, besides fodder.

Reports from Nau­dero say that the areas of Keti Mumtaz, Sharifpur, Bhu­tto estate and a vast belt of the katcha area has been invaded by locusts to eat away recently sown wheat crop and guava orchards in Mahota town.

The swarm was also des­tro­ying green trees and pla­nts all along its route, said Mr Rashdi.

Besides big landowners, abadgars, tillers and peasants, those who have acqui­red lands under contract are also worried over the losses.

People are applying traditional methods in their desperate bid to keep the swarm away from their lands but in vain.

These measures included beating drums and making loud noise to scare away the pest.

The SCA leader estimated that 70 per cent of vegetable crops in the affec­ted areas was eaten up by locusts. “This may lead to an escalation of vegetable prices in the market,” he apprehended.

He said that the ongoing invasion appeared to be the second biggest in Larkana and its adjoining areas after the one seen in 1960.

Thick swarms of locusts were also seen flying in the urban areas of Larkana.

A day earlier, the swarm had invaded Qambar-Shah­dadkot district. People said it entered the area like thick black cloud and poun­ded farmlands like rain. They said the locusts caused heavy damage to the vegetable and late variety of paddy crops.

There were also reports of locusts’ onslaught in Pakho town’s green fields.

Published in Dawn, November 20th, 2019