DUSHANBE, April 30, Asia-Plus  -- Several special teams to combat locust infestation are currently working in the Khatlon province, Qiyomiddin Ghaniyev, the head of a commission for combating locust infestation in the Khatlon province, said in an interview with Asia-Plus.  

“In all, more than 3,000 people are currently involved in chemical treatment of agricultural lands in 14 districts of the province,” Ghaniyev said, noting that the government called on Uzbekistan and Afghanistan to combine efforts to combat serious locust infestation that has spread to considerable areas in the region.  

He also pointed to the necessity of seeking technical assistance from international organizations to combat the locusts.  

According to the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), the locust infestation has to date spread to over 76,000 hectares of areas under cotton and grain crops.  Specialists expect locusts to spread to totaling 200,000 hectares this year.    

Last year, locust invasions destroyed crops and cotton plantations over an area of more than 80,000 hectares, and the Khatlon province was the most affected area.