By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, May 31, 2020: Farmers in Odisha on Sunday have been forewarned of a possible locust invasion. While assuring the farmers not to panic, the state government advised them to take precautions.

In view of the recent locust attack in states like Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, the authorities apprehend a likelihood of Odisha becoming victim to locusts.

The migratory pests are likely to enter west Odisha districts such as Sundergarh, Bargarh, Kalahandi and Bolangir and cause damage to vegetable plantations and trees, Agriculture Minister Arun Kumar Sahoo said adding that necessary measures were being taken to create awareness among the farmers.

As per indications from the Centre and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), locust swarms are likely to reach Odisha in June and may affect crops in several areas, particularly in the western region.

Desert locusts, mostly found in East Africa, eat crops and the green part of trees. Plenty of rainfall in East Africa has helped the insects breed and multiply. These insects have entered Iran, Pakistan and now several states in India.

The movement of swarms of locusts will be closely monitored at district and block levels, Sahoo said.

The minister said though Odisha has not encountered any locust attack in recent years, the government is prepared to deal with any situation.

Farmers residing in areas bordering other states have been advised to remain alert. Sahoo said the farmers have been advised to spray 200 litres of a solution of five per cent neem seed kernel per acre of land to prevent locust attack. They can also prepare a solution by adding 300PPM neem insecticide in 200 litres of water and spray it on the crop, he said.

The Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), in its advisory to farmers, has also asked them to follow the neem-based treatment. It further said that farmers can beat tin cans to drive away the locusts. Farmers can wield branches full of thorns to avoid locust attack.

The OUAT advisory stated that farmers can spread polythene sheets under trees with locusts in the evening and shake them hard so that the insects fall on the sheets. They can then collect these locusts and put them in kerosene mixed water to kill them.

Since locusts stop movement and settle on vegetation after evening, the farmers can also hit branches of trees and crops to remove the insects and destroy them by setting fire.