DUSHANBE, April 3, Asia-Plus  -- First cases of locust infestations have been reported in southern Tajikistan.  

According to Hamrokhon Rahimov, the head of the Khatlon agriculture directorate, 55,000 hectares lands, including areas under wheat and cotton, in 16 districts in he Khatlon province have to date been invaded  by locusts.  

“Khuroson, Qubodiyon, Shahritous, Beshkent, Rumi, Qumsangir, Jomi, Farkhor, Panj and Sarband districts are the most affected areas,” the agriculture directorate head said, adding that 3,600 people in the province are currently involved in combating the pests.  “Some 2,300 liters of pesticides have been delivered to the province to treat the affected areas.”      

Rahimov noted that specialists expect that this year’s locust infestations to be larger than last year.  According to them, the locust invasion is related to the drought that has affected the area, especially the Qurghon Teppa zone of the province, this year.   

To combat the locust invasion the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) intends to use aviation.    

We will recall that last year, locust invasions destroyed thousands of hectares of farmland in southern Tajikistan.  Central districts and parts of the Sughd province were also invaded by locusts last year.   

The locusts usually concentrate on mountain pastures and forests and when there is no grass due to drought they migrate and devour agricultural crops, specialists said.

Until Tajikistan became independent in 1991, locust control in the country was conducted with resources made available by the central Soviet government.  During Soviet times, two mobile locust control teams operated in the country and also provided services to neighboring Afghanistan.  Following the break-up of the Soviet Union, locust control measures have slipped back.