Daily Times

Swarms of locusts once again attacked standing crops in Naundero and its adjoining villages causing widespread destruction of paddy saplings, mangoes, guava orchids and vegetables. On seeing millions of locusts tillers came out holding sticks and large tins in their hands to wipe them out from their agricultural fields. It is expected that growers and peasants will suffer huge losses due to which they were extremely worried as federal and provincial governments have so far failed to eradicate the locusts which will also raise issues of food security in the coming years apart from millions of rupees losses to them

Peasants Muhmamad Nawaz Tagar, Rajib Khuhro, Ismail Khuhro and others said that they have been made scapegoat between the dispute of federal and provincial governments over who will eliminate swarms of locusts and both have so far failed to protect their crops which is their fundamental duty. They said that had the plant protection department been alive in the country and in working condition today they would not have faced such a terrible situation.

They said ultimately people will also face food shortage and prices will be raised by the traders due to short supply. They said swarms of locusts are more dangerous pandemic than coronavirus but both governments are busy in combating COVID-19 as if they have resolved all other problems faced by their voters and supporters.

They said rice will be unavailable for the poor next year and vegetable rates will also be enhanced for shortage which will very badly affect poor people as unemployment has also reached its new heights. They said paddy saplings are being destroyed by the locusts and it will take more time to sow fresh seeds and till then sowing paddy saplings’ time will be over.

These farmers said they have been crying since last year but both governments paid no heed as if it was not their primary duty to protect crops and save poverty-stricken people from destruction. They once again urged both governments specially Sindh Government to take foolproof steps against locusts and ensure aerial spray forthwith to save further crops.