Locusts have been attacking crops in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra
and will enter Chhattisgarh in a day or two, as per warning issued by Central
Integrated Pest Management Centre (CIPMC) on Wednesday.
Farmers have been advised to use pesticides like malathion,
fenvalerate and quinalphos, to save their crops from locust attack. Further,
use of chlorpyrifos, deltamethrin, diflubenzuron, fipronil and
lambda-cyhalothrin pesticides for protecting their crops and trees is being
done as per public relation officer of CIPMC.
In Indore where we have a wide category of organic farmers,
who steer their farms clear of pesticides, use of neem concentrates, leaves and
water was seen.
Focusing further on how neem can prevent crops and trees
from locusts without the use of strong pesticides, Dr Nirrmala Kotharii, general
secretary of World Neem Organisation, shared some researches with Free Press
quoting the importance of using Neem as pesticides to beat locusts.
“Recent laboratory research has shown that neem oil causes ‘solitarization’
of gregarious locust nymphs,” Nirmala said. She added that after exposure to
doses equal to a mere 2.5 litters per hectare, the juveniles fail to form the
massive, moving, marauding plagues that are so destructive of crops and trees.
“According to Desert Locust Guidelines, First edition –
1992; Second edition – 2001 Hans Dobson; updated 2003 ,Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations, Rome 2001 on page 31 Botanicals-Naturally
occurring products such as the extract from the Neem tree are potentially
useful as insecticides and/or antifeedant,” Nirmala cited.
She added that another recent study of on desert locust
Schistocerca gregaria (Forskål) showed that the Neem oil had shown strong
antifeedant action against the various instars, and a mortality rate of 32.9,
39.9 and 80% on the 3rd, 4th and 5th instars, respectively. “Also, there was a
delay in the development period, in addition to deformation and moulting
failures,” Nirmala said.
Locusts attacks in MP
Recently, a swarm settled at a village in Neemuch district,
which borders Rajasthan. Another descended on three villages in Ujjain
district, and the third one on another three villages in the district. In
Sheopur district, one swarm descended on a village.
In all the cases, authorities mobilised tractor-mounted
pumps and fire tenders to spray pesticide. Central locust control teams are
also aiding efforts.
Another swarm descended on two villages in Ratlam district
where 65-70% control was achieved.
Farmers in Budhni and Nasrullaganj areas of Madhya Pradesh's
Sehore district were also reported to be beating utensils in a bid to drive
away locusts on Wednesday. Loud noises are known to scare away locusts as per
forest department public relation officer.