DUSHANBE, March 5, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- The government has allocated 5 million somoni to the state unity enterprise, Fight against Locust Infestation, for combating pests, according to the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA).

Besides, the enterprise has received 17 tractors MTZ-82, two cars UAZ and six pesticide sprayers this year.

The source at a MoA said that last year, locust infestation hit more than 110,000 hectares of land in Tajikistan.  We will recall that the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization called on April 19 2008 for US$500,000 in aid to cover the cost of essential pesticides and equipment to combat the locust infestation in Tajikistan.  Last year’s locust infestation was attributed to a disruption of the insects'' usual seasonal migration pattern by the unusually early onset of hot weather after a record cold winter.

The state unitary enterprise, Fight against Locust Infestation, was established at the Ministry of Agriculture in 2008.  The government provided 4.5 million somoni for establishment of this enterprise.