India has controlled the spread of crop-threatening migratory pest desert locusts by using advanced technologies, including drones, and ensured there was not much crop damage, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday.

In his address after the virtual inauguration of college and administration buildings of Jhansi-based Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, the prime minister stressed on the need to promote greater use of latest technologies in the farm sector.

More than 10 states, including Uttar Pradesh, faced locust problem in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, he said adding that the Bundelkhand region faced the locust attack after 30 years.

Sharing how modern technologies are helpful in addressing the challenges faced by the farm sector, Modi said the speed at which locust swarms were spreading in the country, it was not possible to control them in traditional ways.

"In May, the Bundelkhand region had faced locust problem. ...I was told the region faced the locust attack after 30 years. Not only Uttar Pradesh, more than 10 states faced the locust problem," the prime minister said.

"India has controlled this problem in a scientific way," he said.

"If there was no coronavirus, a week long positive media debate would have been carried on this. A big success has been achieved," he added.

Asserting that the central government worked on a "war footing" to save crops from this pest, Modi said a dozen control rooms, including one in Jhansi, were set up and authorities procured special spray machines and distributed in the affected areas.

"Be it tractors or chemicals, all machineries were put in place to ensure farmers face less crop damage. To save tall trees, drones and helicopters were used for spraying. Following these measures, India has been able to save farmers from incurring huge losses," he said.

Emphasising the importance of modern farm technologies, the prime minister exhorted young researchers and agri-scientists to work on 'One life, One mission' to promote technologies like drone or artificial intelligence across the country.

For the last six few years, the government has been making efforts to take farm research directly to fields and make available scientific advise to even small farmers, he said.

"From college campus to field, there is a need to further strengthen the ecosystem for experts. For which, Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University will also play an important role," he added.

India faced the menace of locust problem in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Uttarakhand and Bihar.

However, the problem now has been controlled to a large extent after timely measures were taken by both the Centre and state governments in about 5.66 lakh hectare area in affected states, as per official data.

Even the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) had in its August 24 update said the risk of swarm migration to the Indo-Pakistan summer breeding area has nearly subsided.

India has controlled the spread of crop-threatening migratory pest desert locusts by using advanced technologies, including drones, and ensured there was not much crop damage, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday.

India has controlled the spread of crop-threatening migratory pest desert locusts by using advanced technologies, including drones, and ensured there was not much crop damage, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday. In his address after the virtual inauguration of college and administration buildings of Jhansi-based Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, the prime minister stressed on the need to promote greater use of latest technologies in the farm sector. More than 10 states, including Uttar Pradesh, faced locust problem in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, he said adding that the Bundelkhand region faced the locust attack after 30 years. Sharing how modern technologies are helpful in addressing the challenges faced by the farm sector, Modi said the speed at which locust swarms were spreading in the country, it was not possible to control them in traditional ways. "In May, the Bundelkhand region had faced locust problem. ...I was told the region faced the locust attack after 30 years. Not only Uttar Pradesh, more than 10 states faced the locust problem," the prime minister said. "India has controlled this problem in a scientific way," he said. "If there was no coronavirus, a week long positive media debate would have been carried on this. A big success has been achieved," he added. Asserting that the central government worked on a "war footing" to save crops from this pest, Modi said a dozen control rooms, including one in Jhansi, were set up and authorities procured special spray machines and distributed in the affected areas. "Be it tractors or chemicals, all machineries were put in place to ensure farmers face less crop damage. To save tall trees, drones and helicopters were used for spraying. Following these measures, India has been able to save farmers from incurring huge losses," he said. Emphasising the importance of modern farm technologies, the prime minister exhorted young researchers and agri-scientists to work on 'One life, One mission' to promote technologies like drone or artificial intelligence across the country. For the last six few years, the government has been making efforts to take farm research directly to fields and make available scientific advise to even small farmers, he said. "From college campus to field, there is a need to further strengthen the ecosystem for experts. For which, Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University will also play an important role," he added. India faced the menace of locust problem in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Uttarakhand and Bihar. However, the problem now has been controlled to a large extent after timely measures were taken by both the Centre and state governments in about 5.66 lakh hectare area in affected states, as per official data. Even the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) had in its August 24 update said the risk of swarm migration to the Indo-Pakistan summer breeding area has nearly subsided.

India controlled locust problem in a scientific way, says PM Modi

India is preparing to battle a locust influx which has invaded Rajasthan & Madhya Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh also warned against the locust infestation. Watch this video to know more.

India prepares to battle locust influx, invades Rajasthan & Madhya Pradesh

According to China's National Forestry and Grassland Administrations, the country faces a desert locust invasion.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/china-will-not-send-duck-army-to-help-pakistan-fight-locusts-expert-283238">Also Read:&nbsp;&nbsp;China not to send 'duck army' to help Pakistan fight locusts&nbsp;</a>

In a notice, China's forestry department said that Locusts could enter from the Tibet region from Pakistan and India or the southwestern province of Yunnan through Myanmar.

It added that Locust swarms could also come from Kazakhstan and into &nbsp;Xinjiang region.

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-the-next-global-enemy-locusts-282109/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

According to China's state media, officials in&nbsp;Khunjerab in southwestern Xinjiang have been monitoring possible <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-locust-crisis-how-are-nations-tackling-the-growing-menace-282092">Locust</a> attack.

A government body said that it had set up a task force to look into cases of Locust attack with the forestry department on alert.

Reports had said earlier that China had allocated $4.2 million for locust prevention and control.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-world-news-spray-planes-can-counter-worst-locust-outbreak-in-eastern-africa-united-nations-278328">Also Read: Spray planes can counter worst locust outbreak in eastern Africa, says UN</a>

China's &nbsp;Xinhua news agency had reported that Locust attack could be a possibility in June-July when large swarms are expected in Pakistan while warning that if it is not properly controlled it might affect provinces in China.

Earlier, reports had indicated that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/now-pakistan-may-seek-chinas-help-to-fight-locust-attack-281536">Pakistan</a> had roped in China for "ariel support" to fight the Locust attack which has already ravaged large parts of east Africa including Uganda &amp; Kenya.

Pakistan has declared a state of national emergency to deal with the insects destroying crops on a large scale in Punjab province.

According to China's National Forestry and Grassland Administrations, the country faces a desert locust invasion. Also Read: China not to send 'duck army' to help Pakistan fight locusts In a notice, China's forestry department said that Locusts could enter from the Tibet region from Pakistan and India or the southwestern province of Yunnan through Myanmar.

According to China's National Forestry and Grassland Administrations, the country faces a desert locust invasion. Also Read: China not to send 'duck army' to help Pakistan fight locusts In a notice, China's forestry department said that Locusts could enter from the Tibet region from Pakistan and India or the southwestern province of Yunnan through Myanmar. It added that Locust swarms could also come from Kazakhstan and into Xinjiang region. Watch Video: According to China's state media, officials in Khunjerab in southwestern Xinjiang have been monitoring possible Locust attack. A government body said that it had set up a task force to look into cases of Locust attack with the forestry department on alert. Reports had said earlier that China had allocated $4.2 million for locust prevention and control. Also Read: Spray planes can counter worst locust outbreak in eastern Africa, says UN China's Xinhua news agency had reported that Locust attack could be a possibility in June-July when large swarms are expected in Pakistan while warning that if it is not properly controlled it might affect provinces in China. Earlier, reports had indicated that Pakistan had roped in China for "ariel support" to fight the Locust attack which has already ravaged large parts of east Africa including Uganda & Kenya. Pakistan has declared a state of national emergency to deal with the insects destroying crops on a large scale in Punjab province.

Now, China braces for possible Locust attack