Anti-locust drive on at war footing in Banaskantha

Palanpur: In wake of the locust attack in villages of Banaskantha adjoining neighbouring Rajasthan and the Indo-Pak border, the agriculture authorities begun special drive on war-footing and sprayed insecticide on 395 hectare land.

The attack of locust swarms has posed a sever threat to stnading crop in several village of Banaskantha.

State agriculture minister RC Faldu too rushed to the bordering villages affected by locust on Tuesday evening. “This being mating season for the insects, we have to be cautious and not allow it to multiply,” said Faldu.

Deputy director of Agriculture, Banaskatha, P K Patel said that 395 hectare of land in nine villages were sprayed with insecticide.

Teams have been spraying malathion insecticide to prevent the spread of locust, said K L Meena assistant director agriculture Palanpur circle.

Banaskantha district collector Sandip Sagle has issued warning for villagers bordering Rajasthan and Pakistan and asked them to inform local agriculture officials as soon as they detect locust swarm.

It is believed that the locust attack is from Pakistan's Sindh province, said Meena.