KHUJAND, June 10, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- In the northern Sughd province, locust infestations have affected 11,867 hectares of farmland by June 9, the deputy head of the Sughd directorate for plant protection and agriculture chemization, Abdumavlon Vohidov, said in an interview with Asia-Plus.

According to him, the risk of appearance of locusts on area of 86,500 hectares in ten districts of the province remains high.  “By June 4, our specialists have studied 96,631 hectares of farmland in the province,” said Vohidov, “The worst hit areas are Istaravshan and Mastchoh districts.”

Specialists have treated 9,563 hectares of locust-hit areas so far and the situation is under control, Vohidov added.