According to a new research, locust outbreaks could worsen as global temperatures continue to climb. The study is the first to show a robust link between large-scale, synchronous locust swarms and specific weather patterns.

Locust hotspots could expand due to rising temperatures: Study

A rifle on his back, Mohamed Yasin tries in vain to chase away the swarm of yellow-coloured insects that have invaded his farm as his camels mill about nearby.

Swarming on the outskirts of Mogadishu, locusts are eating away at Yasin`s livelihood, destroying maize and beans and all his grass.

"We have asked the government to help us on how we will fight the locusts as they are turning everywhere into a desert," Yasin told Reuters.

The insect plague hitting Somalia is part of a once-in-a-generation succession of swarms that have swept across East Africa and the Red Sea region since late 2019, driven by unusual weather patterns.

In a region where many already go hungry, The coronavirus has this year exacerbated the crisis by disrupting the supply chain of pesticides and other equipment needed to fight them off.&nbsp;

A rifle on his back, Mohamed Yasin tries in vain to chase away the swarm of yellow-coloured insects that have invaded his farm as his camels mill about nearby. Swarming on the outskirts of Mogadishu, locusts are eating away at Yasin`s livelihood, destroying maize and beans and all his grass.

A rifle on his back, Mohamed Yasin tries in vain to chase away the swarm of yellow-coloured insects that have invaded his farm as his camels mill about nearby. Swarming on the outskirts of Mogadishu, locusts are eating away at Yasin`s livelihood, destroying maize and beans and all his grass. "We have asked the government to help us on how we will fight the locusts as they are turning everywhere into a desert," Yasin told Reuters. The insect plague hitting Somalia is part of a once-in-a-generation succession of swarms that have swept across East Africa and the Red Sea region since late 2019, driven by unusual weather patterns. In a region where many already go hungry, The coronavirus has this year exacerbated the crisis by disrupting the supply chain of pesticides and other equipment needed to fight them off.

Outside Mogadishu, locusts turn farmland into desert

Namibia is struggling to contain the second outbreak this year of the African migratory red locust, which has destroyed 500 hectares of grazing land in the north-east of the country, the country`s agriculture minister said on Friday.

At least 19 areas in the fertile Zambezi region, which borders Zambia, Zimbabwe Angola and Botswana, have been hit by a red locust outbreak since Aug. 12, agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein said in a statement.

In total, 4,002 square kilometres have been invaded and 500 hectares of livestock grazing land destroyed, he said.

The country needs around 30 million Namibian dollars ($1.77 million) for additional resources to contain the spread and enable aerial spraying, the minister added.

Some neighbouring countries, also affected, are already spraying from the air, which Schlettwein said was driving the locusts to countries, such as Namibia, that have yet to do so.

The outbreak follows another in February of the large, red-winged grasshopper species, which is common to sub-Saharan Africa. It breeds prolifically in conditions of drought followed by rain and rapid vegetation growth.

Sophia Kasheeta, deputy executive director of the agriculture ministry, told Reuters the money needed could be sourced&nbsp;from the private sector, government "or anyone who can come on board".

So far the Food and Africulture Organization is among international bodies providing technical help and materials.

"There are several challenges being faced by the team on the ground, which include lack of camping equipment, vehicles, and the vastness of the area," the minister said.

Namibia is struggling to contain the second outbreak this year of the African migratory red locust, which has destroyed 500 hectares of grazing land in the north-east of the country, the country`s agriculture minister said on Friday.

Namibia is struggling to contain the second outbreak this year of the African migratory red locust, which has destroyed 500 hectares of grazing land in the north-east of the country, the country`s agriculture minister said on Friday. At least 19 areas in the fertile Zambezi region, which borders Zambia, Zimbabwe Angola and Botswana, have been hit by a red locust outbreak since Aug. 12, agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein said in a statement. In total, 4,002 square kilometres have been invaded and 500 hectares of livestock grazing land destroyed, he said. The country needs around 30 million Namibian dollars ($1.77 million) for additional resources to contain the spread and enable aerial spraying, the minister added. Some neighbouring countries, also affected, are already spraying from the air, which Schlettwein said was driving the locusts to countries, such as Namibia, that have yet to do so. The outbreak follows another in February of the large, red-winged grasshopper species, which is common to sub-Saharan Africa. It breeds prolifically in conditions of drought followed by rain and rapid vegetation growth. Sophia Kasheeta, deputy executive director of the agriculture ministry, told Reuters the money needed could be sourced from the private sector, government "or anyone who can come on board". So far the Food and Africulture Organization is among international bodies providing technical help and materials. "There are several challenges being faced by the team on the ground, which include lack of camping equipment, vehicles, and the vastness of the area," the minister said.

Red locusts destroy 500 hectares of Namibian grazing land, minister says

Researchers have identified a chemical compound released by locusts that causes them to swarm. This, they say, would help discover new ways to prevent these insects from devouring crops vital to human sustenance as they have for millennia.

The scientists said on Wednesday they identified the pheromone in the migratory locust, or Locusta migratoria.

The 4-vinylanisole (4VA) is primarily released from the hind legs and is detected by the antennae of other locusts and sensed by odorant receptors. 4VA powerfully attracted locusts regardless of age or sex, the research published in the journal Nature showed. Its production was triggered in the insects when as few as four to five solitary locusts came together, precipitating swarming behaviour.

The migratory locust represents a serious threat to agriculture worldwide.

Swarms can include billions of locusts and span hundreds of square miles (km) as the insects voraciously consume crops, imperiling food security. Migratory locusts inhabit Asia, Africa, Australia and New Zealand, attacking pastures and critical crops such as wheat, rice, corn, millet, barley, oats, sugarcane and sorghum.

Further research is needed on whether 4VA exists in other locust species such as the desert locust, called Schistocerca gregaria, that currently is ravaging parts of Africa and the Middle East.

The chemical insecticides currently used to suppress locust outbreaks raise concerns about human health and safety. The identification of 4VA could inspire new methods.

Moreover, a chemical could be developed to block 4VA's effects to prevent swarming, or a synthetic version could lure locusts into traps to be killed.

Researchers have identified a chemical compound released by locusts that causes them to swarm. This, they say, would help discover new ways to prevent these insects from devouring crops vital to human sustenance as they have for millennia.

Researchers have identified a chemical compound released by locusts that causes them to swarm. This, they say, would help discover new ways to prevent these insects from devouring crops vital to human sustenance as they have for millennia. The scientists said on Wednesday they identified the pheromone in the migratory locust, or Locusta migratoria. The 4-vinylanisole (4VA) is primarily released from the hind legs and is detected by the antennae of other locusts and sensed by odorant receptors. 4VA powerfully attracted locusts regardless of age or sex, the research published in the journal Nature showed. Its production was triggered in the insects when as few as four to five solitary locusts came together, precipitating swarming behaviour. The migratory locust represents a serious threat to agriculture worldwide. Swarms can include billions of locusts and span hundreds of square miles (km) as the insects voraciously consume crops, imperiling food security. Migratory locusts inhabit Asia, Africa, Australia and New Zealand, attacking pastures and critical crops such as wheat, rice, corn, millet, barley, oats, sugarcane and sorghum. Further research is needed on whether 4VA exists in other locust species such as the desert locust, called Schistocerca gregaria, that currently is ravaging parts of Africa and the Middle East. The chemical insecticides currently used to suppress locust outbreaks raise concerns about human health and safety. The identification of 4VA could inspire new methods. Moreover, a chemical could be developed to block 4VA's effects to prevent swarming, or a synthetic version could lure locusts into traps to be killed.

Chemical signal for swarming by locusts identified to help toward curbing plagues

From biblical plague to modern day protein, one Israeli firm wants to make locusts a sustainable food choice in the Holy Land and beyond. &nbsp;

As for whether or not the insects are kosher, the answer is not so simple.

At Hargol Foodtech's farm in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, a rectangular enclosure that once served as a chicken coop is filled with thousands of locusts, a grasshopper species that has a highly destructive swarming phase. &nbsp;

Contained in a series of meticulously stacked, climate-controlled mesh cages, the insects are served wheatgrass through their three-month life-cycle, before being cooled, killed and baked.

Hargol's chief executive Dror Tamir told AFP that he grew up hearing stories of how locusts destroyed the fields of his kibbutz in the 1950s.

Yet the Yemenite Jews in the area did not view locusts as crop-ruining pests, but as an edible source of nutrients, Tamir recalled.

Grasshoppers the 'solution'&nbsp;

As an adult, Tamir became a food and nutrition entrepreneur increasingly concerned about the environmental cost of providing the world's growing population with enough animal protein.&nbsp;

Tamir said he founded Hargol -- Hebrew for grasshopper -- six and a half years ago after realizing the insects were the solution.&nbsp;

The company's goal is to be "the first in the world to grow grasshoppers on a commercial scale, and provide the world with a healthier and more sustainable source of protein".

Ram Reifen, a professor of human nutrition at Hebrew University, agreed that the planet is facing growing food supply challenges.&nbsp;

With Earth's population expected to hit 10 billion by 2050, raising livestock to feed the planet will become increasingly unsustainable, given the massive water and land resources required.&nbsp;

"The fear is there will be a scarcity of protein," Reifen told AFP.

'Yuck' factor&nbsp;

Tamir said that unprocessed locusts consist of more than 70 percent protein and contain all amino acids, along with other nutrients.&nbsp;

"What they do lack is saturated fat and cholesterol," he said. "They have the good stuff. They don't have the bad stuff."

According to his own estimate, around 2.5 billion people -- mainly in developing nations -- consume insects as part of their regular diet.&nbsp;

And, the "most widely-eaten insects in the world are grasshoppers," Tamir said.&nbsp;

But, he added, "when trying to target North American and European customers, it's really hard to overcome the 'yuck' factor".&nbsp;

To make their product more palatable to Westerners, Hargol turns locusts into powder, which can be mixed into various foods.

Tamir said they were about to launch sales of locust-enhanced pancake mix and smoothie powders worldwide.

Some goods produced in the Golan Heights face export restrictions, including strict labeling requirements, because most of the international community does not recognize Israeli sovereignty in the area.

But Tamir said that while the locusts are grown in the Golan and another site in the Galilee, the powder is produced elsewhere within Israel, enabling him to avoid export restrictions.&nbsp;

Investor support has helped sustain the company before sales tick up, he added.&nbsp;

But is it kosher?&nbsp;

In the Bible, locusts&nbsp;appear in the Old Testament Book of Exodus as one of the Ten Plagues unleashed on the Egyptians to force the Pharaoh to free the Israelites from slavery.&nbsp;

In Leviticus, there is a passage stating that certain kinds of grasshopper, including locusts, are kosher.

Jews in Yemen and North Africa have been eating locusts for generations, but European, or Ashkenazi Jews have not.&nbsp;

Tamir said he hoped that he could bring locusts into mainstream Israeli cuisine by getting a kosher certification&nbsp;for his product from the country's chief rabbinate.&nbsp;

Rabbi Eliezer Simcha Weisz, a member of the Chief Rabbinate Council, Israel's top religious adjudication body, told AFP the "phenomenal issue" of whether locusts are kosher had been discussed at "great length".&nbsp;

And while the Torah designates some species as kosher -- including the one raised by Tamir -- it forbids others, he said.

In the rabbinic literature of Ashkenazi Jews, "for the last 400 to 500 years, it's specifically stated that we have a tradition to not eat these locusts," he said.

"That's why it probably will not be accepted generally by all communities to eat the locusts," he said, noting the chief rabbinate has put off a final decision on the question.

But Weisz said that despite the complexity of getting approval from the chief rabbinate, a local Golan rabbi could approve the product.&nbsp;

Overall, he said, the return of locusts to Jewish cuisine was "a wonderful thing".

"I think the fact that in the Torah it says you can eat them, it seems to indicate... that it could be the food of the future," Weisz said.

"Who would have thought!"

Tamir remained optimistic the rabbinate would ultimately give its approval, noting support from prominent rabbis and a planned cooperation with Tnuva, Israel's largest food producer, to manufacture locust protein powder for athletes by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, Tamir is aiming his products at American and European Christians with grasshopper-enhanced energy bars and jars of roasted grasshoppers alongside Israeli honey.

"According to the New Testament, John the Baptist used to eat locusts with honey," he said.

From biblical plague to modern day protein, one Israeli firm wants to make locusts a sustainable food choice in the Holy Land and beyond. As for whether or not the insects are kosher, the answer is not so simple.

From biblical plague to modern day protein, one Israeli firm wants to make locusts a sustainable food choice in the Holy Land and beyond. As for whether or not the insects are kosher, the answer is not so simple. At Hargol Foodtech's farm in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, a rectangular enclosure that once served as a chicken coop is filled with thousands of locusts, a grasshopper species that has a highly destructive swarming phase. Contained in a series of meticulously stacked, climate-controlled mesh cages, the insects are served wheatgrass through their three-month life-cycle, before being cooled, killed and baked. Hargol's chief executive Dror Tamir told AFP that he grew up hearing stories of how locusts destroyed the fields of his kibbutz in the 1950s. Yet the Yemenite Jews in the area did not view locusts as crop-ruining pests, but as an edible source of nutrients, Tamir recalled. Grasshoppers the 'solution' As an adult, Tamir became a food and nutrition entrepreneur increasingly concerned about the environmental cost of providing the world's growing population with enough animal protein. Tamir said he founded Hargol -- Hebrew for grasshopper -- six and a half years ago after realizing the insects were the solution. The company's goal is to be "the first in the world to grow grasshoppers on a commercial scale, and provide the world with a healthier and more sustainable source of protein". Ram Reifen, a professor of human nutrition at Hebrew University, agreed that the planet is facing growing food supply challenges. With Earth's population expected to hit 10 billion by 2050, raising livestock to feed the planet will become increasingly unsustainable, given the massive water and land resources required. "The fear is there will be a scarcity of protein," Reifen told AFP. 'Yuck' factor Tamir said that unprocessed locusts consist of more than 70 percent protein and contain all amino acids, along with other nutrients. "What they do lack is saturated fat and cholesterol," he said. "They have the good stuff. They don't have the bad stuff." According to his own estimate, around 2.5 billion people -- mainly in developing nations -- consume insects as part of their regular diet. And, the "most widely-eaten insects in the world are grasshoppers," Tamir said. But, he added, "when trying to target North American and European customers, it's really hard to overcome the 'yuck' factor". To make their product more palatable to Westerners, Hargol turns locusts into powder, which can be mixed into various foods. Tamir said they were about to launch sales of locust-enhanced pancake mix and smoothie powders worldwide. Some goods produced in the Golan Heights face export restrictions, including strict labeling requirements, because most of the international community does not recognize Israeli sovereignty in the area. But Tamir said that while the locusts are grown in the Golan and another site in the Galilee, the powder is produced elsewhere within Israel, enabling him to avoid export restrictions. Investor support has helped sustain the company before sales tick up, he added. But is it kosher? In the Bible, locusts appear in the Old Testament Book of Exodus as one of the Ten Plagues unleashed on the Egyptians to force the Pharaoh to free the Israelites from slavery. In Leviticus, there is a passage stating that certain kinds of grasshopper, including locusts, are kosher. Jews in Yemen and North Africa have been eating locusts for generations, but European, or Ashkenazi Jews have not. Tamir said he hoped that he could bring locusts into mainstream Israeli cuisine by getting a kosher certification for his product from the country's chief rabbinate. Rabbi Eliezer Simcha Weisz, a member of the Chief Rabbinate Council, Israel's top religious adjudication body, told AFP the "phenomenal issue" of whether locusts are kosher had been discussed at "great length". And while the Torah designates some species as kosher -- including the one raised by Tamir -- it forbids others, he said. In the rabbinic literature of Ashkenazi Jews, "for the last 400 to 500 years, it's specifically stated that we have a tradition to not eat these locusts," he said. "That's why it probably will not be accepted generally by all communities to eat the locusts," he said, noting the chief rabbinate has put off a final decision on the question. But Weisz said that despite the complexity of getting approval from the chief rabbinate, a local Golan rabbi could approve the product. Overall, he said, the return of locusts to Jewish cuisine was "a wonderful thing". "I think the fact that in the Torah it says you can eat them, it seems to indicate... that it could be the food of the future," Weisz said. "Who would have thought!" Tamir remained optimistic the rabbinate would ultimately give its approval, noting support from prominent rabbis and a planned cooperation with Tnuva, Israel's largest food producer, to manufacture locust protein powder for athletes by the end of the year. Meanwhile, Tamir is aiming his products at American and European Christians with grasshopper-enhanced energy bars and jars of roasted grasshoppers alongside Israeli honey. "According to the New Testament, John the Baptist used to eat locusts with honey," he said.

Israeli firm seeks to put locusts on the menu

Welcome to Nairobi. Here, craving locusts means being spoilt for choice.

Nairobi has a vivid menu -- grilled locust salad, locusts in skewers, and the good old locust kebabs.

If one is really hungry, they are free to order all the above. And there is no shortage of supply.

The swarms of flying protein are in abundance in Kenya, and the inhabitants are putting them to the best use.

To this end, Icipe researcher, Chrystanus Tanga, says, "A lot more people should engage in this practice rather than shying away and thinking that it is a primitive man's food."

In all honesty, if we see it the other way, these locusts aren't shy of devouring our farmlands. So we also must not be ashamed of putting them on our chopping board.

Here, one can crush them into meals, or deep fry the locusts and serve them with tartar sauce. Or come up with your own recipe.

This is neither pandemic lunacy nor one of the many weird things happening this year.

Locusts have been chef's favourite for a long time now. Everytime they invaded a country, people were quick to catch, chop and cook them.

In 2013, Israel was going gaga over fried locusts, the winged creatures also found themselves being served as desserts.

In 2004, when locusts devastated crops in Australia, people retaliated by eating them. The gallantry was lauded by government workers.

They are sky prawns, they said. And they are free.

Soon, a cook book was released. With not one, not two -- but 20 sky prawn recipes.

The rest, they say, is history.

In the 1970s, Thailand was so smitten by locusts that researchers felt sad while calling them pests.

And maybe this is how we corroborate the saying -- when life gives you lemon, make lemonade.

And when it gives you locusts aka sky prawns... Well, make kebabs.

Welcome to Nairobi. Here, craving locusts means being spoilt for choice. Nairobi has a vivid menu -- grilled locust salad, locusts in skewers, and the good old locust kebabs.

Welcome to Nairobi. Here, craving locusts means being spoilt for choice. Nairobi has a vivid menu -- grilled locust salad, locusts in skewers, and the good old locust kebabs. If one is really hungry, they are free to order all the above. And there is no shortage of supply. The swarms of flying protein are in abundance in Kenya, and the inhabitants are putting them to the best use. To this end, Icipe researcher, Chrystanus Tanga, says, "A lot more people should engage in this practice rather than shying away and thinking that it is a primitive man's food." In all honesty, if we see it the other way, these locusts aren't shy of devouring our farmlands. So we also must not be ashamed of putting them on our chopping board. Here, one can crush them into meals, or deep fry the locusts and serve them with tartar sauce. Or come up with your own recipe. This is neither pandemic lunacy nor one of the many weird things happening this year. Locusts have been chef's favourite for a long time now. Everytime they invaded a country, people were quick to catch, chop and cook them. In 2013, Israel was going gaga over fried locusts, the winged creatures also found themselves being served as desserts. In 2004, when locusts devastated crops in Australia, people retaliated by eating them. The gallantry was lauded by government workers. They are sky prawns, they said. And they are free. Soon, a cook book was released. With not one, not two -- but 20 sky prawn recipes. The rest, they say, is history. In the 1970s, Thailand was so smitten by locusts that researchers felt sad while calling them pests. And maybe this is how we corroborate the saying -- when life gives you lemon, make lemonade. And when it gives you locusts aka sky prawns... Well, make kebabs.

When life gives you locusts, make kebabs. We don't say it, Nairobi does

The branches on trees around Kenya's northern town of Lodwar have been stripped bare of leaves, bending downwards under the weight of voracious young locusts.

Numbers of locusts exploded in East Africa and the Red Sea region in late 2019, exacerbated by atypical weather patterns amplified by climate change. Swarms of insects flew west from Yemen, and this year reached Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia.

The new generation has hatched in Turkana, Kenya's poorest region. The young locusts are eating everything in sight, and when their wings mature the swarms will be able to travel up to 130 kilometres (80 miles) in a day.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/india-news/locusts-crisis-india-sends-20000-litres-of-pesticide-to-iran-304829" hreflang="en">Locusts crisis: India sends 20,000 litres of pesticide to Iran</a>

The hatchings have occurred as crops are planted in a region where 20 million people struggle for food.&nbsp;

"The locusts have come to destabilise an already bad situation," said Daniel Kirura, head of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization in Turkana.

Kirura fears the swarms will spread quickly and said teams are working frantically to spray them with insecticide before they become airborne.&nbsp;

"Within one week they may mature to swarms that may fly away," Kirura said. "Our wish is to control them before they leave Turkana."

Turkana is a vast, dry scrubland in northwest Kenya that borders Uganda, South Sudan and Ethiopia. Residents say the insects are devastating farmland and grazing areas.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/south-asia/pakistan-battles-locusts-by-turning-them-into-chicken-feed-304711" hreflang="en">Pakistan battles locusts by turning them into chicken feed</a>

"These things that jump up and down came here two days ago and have eaten all the trees," said Michael, near Turkana's capital Lodwar. "They have even finished grass for the goats."

Residents are beating tin drums to scare away the insects.

"They have destroyed our maize, pawpaw tree," Christopher Lotit told Reuters. "So because they do not want noise, we use noise to get rid of them."

The branches on trees around Kenya's northern town of Lodwar have been stripped bare of leaves, bending downwards under the weight of voracious young locusts. Numbers of locusts exploded in East Africa and the Red Sea region in late 2019, exacerbated by atypical weather patterns amplified by climate change.

The branches on trees around Kenya's northern town of Lodwar have been stripped bare of leaves, bending downwards under the weight of voracious young locusts. Numbers of locusts exploded in East Africa and the Red Sea region in late 2019, exacerbated by atypical weather patterns amplified by climate change. Swarms of insects flew west from Yemen, and this year reached Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia. The new generation has hatched in Turkana, Kenya's poorest region. The young locusts are eating everything in sight, and when their wings mature the swarms will be able to travel up to 130 kilometres (80 miles) in a day. Also read: Locusts crisis: India sends 20,000 litres of pesticide to Iran The hatchings have occurred as crops are planted in a region where 20 million people struggle for food. "The locusts have come to destabilise an already bad situation," said Daniel Kirura, head of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization in Turkana. Kirura fears the swarms will spread quickly and said teams are working frantically to spray them with insecticide before they become airborne. "Within one week they may mature to swarms that may fly away," Kirura said. "Our wish is to control them before they leave Turkana." Turkana is a vast, dry scrubland in northwest Kenya that borders Uganda, South Sudan and Ethiopia. Residents say the insects are devastating farmland and grazing areas. Also read: Pakistan battles locusts by turning them into chicken feed "These things that jump up and down came here two days ago and have eaten all the trees," said Michael, near Turkana's capital Lodwar. "They have even finished grass for the goats." Residents are beating tin drums to scare away the insects. "They have destroyed our maize, pawpaw tree," Christopher Lotit told Reuters. "So because they do not want noise, we use noise to get rid of them."

Swarms of locusts devastate parts of northern Kenya

Chickens in Pakistan have been feasting on captured locusts under an initiative to combat swarms of the insects that are threatening food supplies in the impoverished country. 
 
Prime Minister Imran Khan has endorsed plans to expand a pilot project in the bread-basket province of Punjab, where villagers earned cash to gather locusts that were then dried out, shredded and added into poultry feed. 
 
Farmers are struggling as the worst locust plague in 25 years wipes out entire harvests in Pakistan's agricultural heartlands, leaving people scrambling for income.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/impose-intermittent-lockdowns-who-tells-pakistan-amid-rising-coronavirus-cases-304667" hreflang="en">Impose 'intermittent lockdowns': WHO tells Pakistan amid rising coronavirus cases</a> 
 
Muhammad Khurshid from Pakistan's food ministry and biotechnologist Johar Ali set up the programme, drawing on efforts in war-ravaged Yemen, where authorities have encouraged people to eat the protein-rich locusts amid famine. 
 
The pair chose Punjab's Okara district, where farmers had not used any pesticides that would make locusts unsuitable for consumption. 
 
"We first had to learn, and then teach the locals how to catch the locusts. Nets are useless against them," Khurshid told AFP. 
 
At night the creatures cluster on trees and plants, making them easy to scoop up as they lie motionless in the cooler temperatures until the sun begins to rise.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/imran-khan-orders-reforms-in-pakistan-international-airlines-to-bring-down-losses-304592" hreflang="en">Imran Khan orders reforms in Pakistan International Airlines to bring down losses</a> 
 
For a reward of 20 rupees (12 cents) per kilogram of locusts, locals worked all night to collect them. 
 
One farmer who lost all her crops to the insects said she and her son earned 1,600 rupees ($10) during a single locust-gathering outing, helping to offset the financial damage. 
 
Organisers struggled at first to convince farmers to join the hunt, but by the third night word had spread and hundreds joined in -- turning up with their own bags to stuff full. 
 
With 20 tonnes of captured locusts, authorities ran out of money to pay the collectors and the programme was paused. 
 
The ministry, which recently announced the results of February's pilot, is now preparing to expand the project to other locations.

Multiplying in monsoon 
The harvested locusts went to Hi-Tech Feeds -- Pakistan's largest animal-feed producer -- which substituted 10 percent of the soybean in its chicken food with the insects. 
 
"There was no issue with the feed, the locusts have a good potential for use in poultry feed," general manager Muhammad Athar said, after trying the modified product on 500 broiler hens. 
 
While the project is not a solution to the devastation caused to crops, it can provide hard-hit farmers with a fresh revenue stream and relieve pressure on authorities struggling to distribute locust-beating pesticides. 
 
Locust swarms have gnawed their way through crops across East Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and parts of India this year, and experts fear their numbers will explode as monsoon rains arrive this month. 
 
The crisis is so severe that the government has declared a nationwide emergency and appealed for help from the international community. 
 
Bananas, mangoes, vegetables and other crops are all vulnerable -- raising fears of food shortages -- as are the wheat and cotton harvests that provide Pakistan with vital revenue. 
 
According to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization, Pakistan could suffer about $5 billion in losses if 25 percent of its crops are damaged. 
 
A reduced harvest could also push prices up and risks worsening food insecurity. 
 
About 20 percent of the population are already undernourished, with almost half of all children under five stunted, according to the World Food Programme.

Chickens in Pakistan have been feasting on captured locusts under an initiative to combat swarms of the insects that are threatening food supplies in the impoverished country.

Chickens in Pakistan have been feasting on captured locusts under an initiative to combat swarms of the insects that are threatening food supplies in the impoverished country. Prime Minister Imran Khan has endorsed plans to expand a pilot project in the bread-basket province of Punjab, where villagers earned cash to gather locusts that were then dried out, shredded and added into poultry feed. Farmers are struggling as the worst locust plague in 25 years wipes out entire harvests in Pakistan's agricultural heartlands, leaving people scrambling for income. Also read: Impose 'intermittent lockdowns': WHO tells Pakistan amid rising coronavirus cases Muhammad Khurshid from Pakistan's food ministry and biotechnologist Johar Ali set up the programme, drawing on efforts in war-ravaged Yemen, where authorities have encouraged people to eat the protein-rich locusts amid famine. The pair chose Punjab's Okara district, where farmers had not used any pesticides that would make locusts unsuitable for consumption. "We first had to learn, and then teach the locals how to catch the locusts. Nets are useless against them," Khurshid told AFP. At night the creatures cluster on trees and plants, making them easy to scoop up as they lie motionless in the cooler temperatures until the sun begins to rise. Also read: Imran Khan orders reforms in Pakistan International Airlines to bring down losses For a reward of 20 rupees (12 cents) per kilogram of locusts, locals worked all night to collect them. One farmer who lost all her crops to the insects said she and her son earned 1,600 rupees ($10) during a single locust-gathering outing, helping to offset the financial damage. Organisers struggled at first to convince farmers to join the hunt, but by the third night word had spread and hundreds joined in -- turning up with their own bags to stuff full. With 20 tonnes of captured locusts, authorities ran out of money to pay the collectors and the programme was paused. The ministry, which recently announced the results of February's pilot, is now preparing to expand the project to other locations. Multiplying in monsoon The harvested locusts went to Hi-Tech Feeds -- Pakistan's largest animal-feed producer -- which substituted 10 percent of the soybean in its chicken food with the insects. "There was no issue with the feed, the locusts have a good potential for use in poultry feed," general manager Muhammad Athar said, after trying the modified product on 500 broiler hens. While the project is not a solution to the devastation caused to crops, it can provide hard-hit farmers with a fresh revenue stream and relieve pressure on authorities struggling to distribute locust-beating pesticides. Locust swarms have gnawed their way through crops across East Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and parts of India this year, and experts fear their numbers will explode as monsoon rains arrive this month. The crisis is so severe that the government has declared a nationwide emergency and appealed for help from the international community. Bananas, mangoes, vegetables and other crops are all vulnerable -- raising fears of food shortages -- as are the wheat and cotton harvests that provide Pakistan with vital revenue. According to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization, Pakistan could suffer about $5 billion in losses if 25 percent of its crops are damaged. A reduced harvest could also push prices up and risks worsening food insecurity. About 20 percent of the population are already undernourished, with almost half of all children under five stunted, according to the World Food Programme.

Pakistan battles locusts by turning them into chicken feed

The farmers in Chohatan and other villages of Barmer district in Rajasthan were seen clanging utensils in an attempt to scare away the swarms of migratory locusts invading their fields and eating away crops.

“We urge the centre and state government to find a solution to this, as soon as possible. Our crops are destroyed,” said locals.

The locust attack is another blow to farmers already reeling under the impact of Covid-19 lockdown.

Recently the Agriculture Department used drones to monitor the movement of the locusts in Jaipur’s Samode.

Dr Om Prakash Choudhary, Commissioner, Agricultural Department said, “We will use drones to monitor locusts in the terrains which are difficult for us to access.”

The desert locust is a species of locust, a swarming short-horned grasshopper. They are known to devour everything in their path, posing an unprecedented threat to food supply and livelihoods of millions of people. 
&nbsp;

The farmers in Chohatan and other villages of Barmer district in Rajasthan were seen clanging utensils in an attempt to scare away the swarms of migratory locusts invading their fields and eating away crops.

The farmers in Chohatan and other villages of Barmer district in Rajasthan were seen clanging utensils in an attempt to scare away the swarms of migratory locusts invading their fields and eating away crops. “We urge the centre and state government to find a solution to this, as soon as possible. Our crops are destroyed,” said locals. The locust attack is another blow to farmers already reeling under the impact of Covid-19 lockdown. Recently the Agriculture Department used drones to monitor the movement of the locusts in Jaipur’s Samode. Dr Om Prakash Choudhary, Commissioner, Agricultural Department said, “We will use drones to monitor locusts in the terrains which are difficult for us to access.” The desert locust is a species of locust, a swarming short-horned grasshopper. They are known to devour everything in their path, posing an unprecedented threat to food supply and livelihoods of millions of people.

Another locust attack in Rajasthan; this time in Barmer district

Swarms of locusts have been ravaging primarily five states -- Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra -- and are expected to reach a few others in the next few weeks.

To this end, authorities in Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Telangana and Karnataka have sounded alerts to the possibility of locusts entering their territories.

In addittion, the Delhi government has issued an advisory on preventive measures to control the looming locust attack in the national capital. It has asked the authorities to organise awareness among farmers, spraying of insecticide and not letting the swarms rest during the night.

The desert locust are known to devour everything in their path. They can fly up to 150 km a day and a one-square-kilometre swarm can eat as much food as 35,000 people in one day, posing an unprecedented threat to food supply and livelihoods of millions of people.

The United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has warned that the crop-destroying insects could also reach Bihar and Odisha in the east in the coming weeks.

As the locust attack threat looms over Delhi and neighbouring states, a plea in the National Green Tribunal has also sought the implementation of the Centre's contingency plan to combat the situation.

The plea filed by an NGO said that despite having the contingency plan several states like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh are facing the locust swarm attack since February and the situation is getting worse in some of the areas.

Gujarat and Maharashtra have also been impacted by the swarm of millions of insects which eat up crops in the field they attack, inflicting heavy crop damage.

The plea said: "The worst affected are the farmers of the said area, thus the applicant NGO seeks urgent intervention of this tribunal and seeks direction to submit status report on the implementation of plan prepared by Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture &amp; Farmer Welfare, Union of India."

The contingency plan is a guidance document for Locust Field Offices, state governments and other stake holders during the attack, said the plea filed by 'Centre For Wildlife And Environmental Litigation Foundation'.

According to the plea, the plan covers assistance required from different stakeholders, their contribution and role, activities, type of strategy to be adopted, formation of teams, available resources, short falls and ways and means of obtaining additional resources, and the deployment as also the actions that need to be taken.

The plan also provides for use of aircraft with spraying kits for locust control purpose, it said. The NGO has sought constitution of committees to control the locust swarm attack within their respective states. 
&nbsp;

Swarms of locusts have been ravaging primarily five states -- Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra -- and are expected to reach a few others in the next few weeks.

Swarms of locusts have been ravaging primarily five states -- Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra -- and are expected to reach a few others in the next few weeks. To this end, authorities in Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Telangana and Karnataka have sounded alerts to the possibility of locusts entering their territories. In addittion, the Delhi government has issued an advisory on preventive measures to control the looming locust attack in the national capital. It has asked the authorities to organise awareness among farmers, spraying of insecticide and not letting the swarms rest during the night. The desert locust are known to devour everything in their path. They can fly up to 150 km a day and a one-square-kilometre swarm can eat as much food as 35,000 people in one day, posing an unprecedented threat to food supply and livelihoods of millions of people. The United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has warned that the crop-destroying insects could also reach Bihar and Odisha in the east in the coming weeks. As the locust attack threat looms over Delhi and neighbouring states, a plea in the National Green Tribunal has also sought the implementation of the Centre's contingency plan to combat the situation. The plea filed by an NGO said that despite having the contingency plan several states like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh are facing the locust swarm attack since February and the situation is getting worse in some of the areas. Gujarat and Maharashtra have also been impacted by the swarm of millions of insects which eat up crops in the field they attack, inflicting heavy crop damage. The plea said: "The worst affected are the farmers of the said area, thus the applicant NGO seeks urgent intervention of this tribunal and seeks direction to submit status report on the implementation of plan prepared by Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmer Welfare, Union of India." The contingency plan is a guidance document for Locust Field Offices, state governments and other stake holders during the attack, said the plea filed by 'Centre For Wildlife And Environmental Litigation Foundation'. According to the plea, the plan covers assistance required from different stakeholders, their contribution and role, activities, type of strategy to be adopted, formation of teams, available resources, short falls and ways and means of obtaining additional resources, and the deployment as also the actions that need to be taken. The plan also provides for use of aircraft with spraying kits for locust control purpose, it said. The NGO has sought constitution of committees to control the locust swarm attack within their respective states.

Alert sounded in Delhi, other states as locusts ravage Rajasthan, Maharashtra

Worst in 26 years! Swarm of locusts attack Indian farmers

In addition to the coronavirus pandemic, a new challenge is facing South and South West Asia regions this year in the form&nbsp;of desert locusts.

India has taken the initiative of&nbsp;developing regional cooperation in controlling desert locust that seems to be threatening agriculture in it along with&nbsp;Pakistan and Iran.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/amid-covid-19-outbreak-pakistan-government-prepares-to-tackle-locust-crisis-296563">Amid COVID-19 outbreak, Pakistan government prepares to tackle locust crisis</a>

As per reports of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in Iran, hopper bands of the locust are maturing along the southwestern coastal plains, and another generation of breeding is underway in the southeast where hatching is taking place on the coast and in the interior of sistan-Baluchistan.

In Pakistan, adult groups are migrating to the Indian border from breeding areas in Baluchistan where hopper groups are present. this is happening in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa regions of the country as well.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/desert-locust-invasion-prevented-after-timely-measures-change-in-wind-directions-275981">Desert locust invasion prevented after timely measures, change in wind directions</a>

Meanwhile, in India, more adult groups and small swarms have arrived from Pakistan in the past weeks and moved east into Rajasthan.

The Government of India is leading the efforts in locust control in the country. It has also spearheading initiatives to foster regional cooperation.&nbsp;

India has suggested to pakistan that both Pakistan and Iran coordinate locust control operation along the border and that India can facilitate supply of pesticide malathion to Pakistan.&nbsp;

India has also offered to supply pesticide to Iran to carry out desert locust control operations in its sistan-Balochistan and South Khorasan provinces.&nbsp;

These efforts will contribute to mitigate the effect of the desert locust not only in these countries, but also for India.&nbsp;

Iran has already responded positively to India's offer. However, it still unclear whether&nbsp;Pakistan will&nbsp;agree to a coordinated approach of dealing with the desert locust crisis

There is consensus that the desert locust could pose a grave challenge in 2020. Thousands of acres of crops could be destroyed by locusts and at a time when global economy is struggling to recover after the COVID-19 crisis, this is the last problem that the region needs to deal with. 
&nbsp;

In addition to the coronavirus pandemic, a new challenge is facing South and South West Asia regions this year in the form of desert locusts. India has taken the initiative of developing regional cooperation in controlling desert locust that seems to be threatening agriculture in it along with Pakistan and Iran.

In addition to the coronavirus pandemic, a new challenge is facing South and South West Asia regions this year in the form of desert locusts. India has taken the initiative of developing regional cooperation in controlling desert locust that seems to be threatening agriculture in it along with Pakistan and Iran. Also read: Amid COVID-19 outbreak, Pakistan government prepares to tackle locust crisis As per reports of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in Iran, hopper bands of the locust are maturing along the southwestern coastal plains, and another generation of breeding is underway in the southeast where hatching is taking place on the coast and in the interior of sistan-Baluchistan. In Pakistan, adult groups are migrating to the Indian border from breeding areas in Baluchistan where hopper groups are present. this is happening in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa regions of the country as well. Also read: Desert locust invasion prevented after timely measures, change in wind directions Meanwhile, in India, more adult groups and small swarms have arrived from Pakistan in the past weeks and moved east into Rajasthan. The Government of India is leading the efforts in locust control in the country. It has also spearheading initiatives to foster regional cooperation. India has suggested to pakistan that both Pakistan and Iran coordinate locust control operation along the border and that India can facilitate supply of pesticide malathion to Pakistan. India has also offered to supply pesticide to Iran to carry out desert locust control operations in its sistan-Balochistan and South Khorasan provinces. These efforts will contribute to mitigate the effect of the desert locust not only in these countries, but also for India. Iran has already responded positively to India's offer. However, it still unclear whether Pakistan will agree to a coordinated approach of dealing with the desert locust crisis There is consensus that the desert locust could pose a grave challenge in 2020. Thousands of acres of crops could be destroyed by locusts and at a time when global economy is struggling to recover after the COVID-19 crisis, this is the last problem that the region needs to deal with.

Now, new challenge facing South Asia in form of locusts

Scientists believe that a new tracking programme will be able to prevent a second surge of the crop-ravaging insects.

They have been monitoring the worst locust attack in Kenya in 70 years.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-world-news-spray-planes-can-counter-worst-locust-outbreak-in-eastern-africa-united-nations-278328">Spray planes can counter worst locust outbreak in eastern Africa: United Nations</a>

Previously, the United Nations (UN) had suggested that spray planes that spray pesticides can counter the problem.

The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization has warned that an imminent second hatch of the insects could threaten the food security of 25 million people across the region as it enters the cropping season.

Experts also said that a quick response to the problem is vital as if it is left unchecked, the number of locusts can grow up to 500 times by June.

Also see: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-desert-locust-swarms-in-ethiopia-kenya-and-somalia-threaten-to-ravage-east-africa-275577">Desert Locust swarms in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia threaten to ravage East Africa</a>

Researchers are currently running a supercomputer model to predict breeding areas that may have been missed by ground monitoring.&nbsp;

According to Kenneth Mwangi, a satellite information scientist, based at the Intergovernmental Authority on Development climate prediction and applications centre, based in Nairobi, ''the model will be able to tell us the areas in which hoppers are emerging and we will also get ground information''.

''The focus will be on stopping hoppers becoming adults, as that leads to another cycle of infestation. We want to avoid that. We want to advise governments early before an upsurge happens,'' he added.

So far, the supercomputer, funded by the aid of £35 million&nbsp;by the&nbsp;United Kingdom as part of its Weather and Climate Information Services for Africa programme,&nbsp;has successfully forecast the movement of locusts using data such as wind speed and direction, temperature, and humidity.&nbsp;The model has achieved 90 per cent accuracy in forecasting the future locations of the swarms, Mwangi said.

Scientists believe that a new tracking programme will be able to prevent a second surge of the crop-ravaging insects. They have been monitoring the worst locust attack in Kenya in 70 years.

Scientists believe that a new tracking programme will be able to prevent a second surge of the crop-ravaging insects. They have been monitoring the worst locust attack in Kenya in 70 years. Also read: Spray planes can counter worst locust outbreak in eastern Africa: United Nations Previously, the United Nations (UN) had suggested that spray planes that spray pesticides can counter the problem. The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization has warned that an imminent second hatch of the insects could threaten the food security of 25 million people across the region as it enters the cropping season. Experts also said that a quick response to the problem is vital as if it is left unchecked, the number of locusts can grow up to 500 times by June. Also see: Desert Locust swarms in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia threaten to ravage East Africa Researchers are currently running a supercomputer model to predict breeding areas that may have been missed by ground monitoring. According to Kenneth Mwangi, a satellite information scientist, based at the Intergovernmental Authority on Development climate prediction and applications centre, based in Nairobi, ''the model will be able to tell us the areas in which hoppers are emerging and we will also get ground information''. ''The focus will be on stopping hoppers becoming adults, as that leads to another cycle of infestation. We want to avoid that. We want to advise governments early before an upsurge happens,'' he added. So far, the supercomputer, funded by the aid of £35 million by the United Kingdom as part of its Weather and Climate Information Services for Africa programme, has successfully forecast the movement of locusts using data such as wind speed and direction, temperature, and humidity. The model has achieved 90 per cent accuracy in forecasting the future locations of the swarms, Mwangi said.

Technology to be used for prevention against second wave of locusts in east Africa

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

Fighting locusts is the biggest problem emerging in the horn of Africa. The swelling numbers of locusts have threatened a food emergency in some of the African countries. But, the danger extends beyond Africa as several reports suggest that west and southwest Asia could be the next target.

The reports also say that even India and<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-to-consider-importing-insecticides-from-india-to-fight-locusts-281375"> Pakistan will not be spared from the growing threat of locust</a>s.

As locusts from Africa are headed to Pakistan and as the millions of inch-long pests are on their way to wage war on Pakistani crops, Islamabad has sought to import chemicals from India to fight them.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-desert-locust-swarms-in-ethiopia-kenya-and-somalia-threaten-to-ravage-east-africa-275577">In pics: Desert Locust swarms in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia threaten to ravage East Africa</a>

Earlier this month, Pakistan also declared a national emergency over locusts after it destroyed the country's maize, cotton, wheat and other crops.

Some 40 to 80 million locusts are capable of wiping out food for 35,000 people.

Meanwhile, the Africa continent is also suffering from its worst locust outbreak in decades. These migratory pests have devastated large tracts of croplands in the north and central Africa.

What started with Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia, it has now spread to Uganda, Tanzania and Sudan; and as per reports, a food emergency looms over these countries.

Uganda's Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda recently held an emergency meeting&nbsp;in which the leaders discussed a strategy to tackle the desert locusts.&nbsp;

Ugandan officials are planning to deploy 2,000 soldiers and send supply equipment to tackle the invasion by desert locusts.

The state will also provide manual and motorised spray pumps to fight the locusts. The government is also considering aerial spraying of the locusts.

Earlier, the United Nations had also sounded a food alarm.

By June, the locust population is set to grow 500 times spreading to West Asia as well. The locust population is presently breeding in Saudi Arabia and Yemen. It further expected to spread to Egypt, Sudan, and Eritrea.

In southwest Asia, southern coast in Iran is the breeding ground.

Croplands in Pakistan's Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baluchistan will be the worst affected while, the bordering Indian states of Gujarat and Rajasthan could also face the brunt. 
&nbsp; 
Many Asian and African countries have begun to prepare in advance.

The U.N. estimates that a locust control plan will cost an estimated 76 million dollars; what is available so far is just 20 million dollars.

A disaster is waiting to happen if nothing is done by next month.

Fighting locusts is the biggest problem emerging in the horn of Africa. The swelling numbers of locusts have threatened a food emergency in some of the African countries.

Fighting locusts is the biggest problem emerging in the horn of Africa. The swelling numbers of locusts have threatened a food emergency in some of the African countries. But, the danger extends beyond Africa as several reports suggest that west and southwest Asia could be the next target. The reports also say that even India and Pakistan will not be spared from the growing threat of locusts. As locusts from Africa are headed to Pakistan and as the millions of inch-long pests are on their way to wage war on Pakistani crops, Islamabad has sought to import chemicals from India to fight them. In pics: Desert Locust swarms in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia threaten to ravage East Africa Earlier this month, Pakistan also declared a national emergency over locusts after it destroyed the country's maize, cotton, wheat and other crops. Some 40 to 80 million locusts are capable of wiping out food for 35,000 people. Meanwhile, the Africa continent is also suffering from its worst locust outbreak in decades. These migratory pests have devastated large tracts of croplands in the north and central Africa. What started with Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia, it has now spread to Uganda, Tanzania and Sudan; and as per reports, a food emergency looms over these countries. Uganda's Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda recently held an emergency meeting in which the leaders discussed a strategy to tackle the desert locusts. Ugandan officials are planning to deploy 2,000 soldiers and send supply equipment to tackle the invasion by desert locusts. The state will also provide manual and motorised spray pumps to fight the locusts. The government is also considering aerial spraying of the locusts. Earlier, the United Nations had also sounded a food alarm. By June, the locust population is set to grow 500 times spreading to West Asia as well. The locust population is presently breeding in Saudi Arabia and Yemen. It further expected to spread to Egypt, Sudan, and Eritrea. In southwest Asia, southern coast in Iran is the breeding ground. Croplands in Pakistan's Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baluchistan will be the worst affected while, the bordering Indian states of Gujarat and Rajasthan could also face the brunt. Many Asian and African countries have begun to prepare in advance. The U.N. estimates that a locust control plan will cost an estimated 76 million dollars; what is available so far is just 20 million dollars. A disaster is waiting to happen if nothing is done by next month.

Uganda deploys army, Pakistan imports insecticides from India as countries brace for locust attacks

Pakistan has declared a national emergency to deal with insects destroying crops on a large scale in Punjab province, country's main region for agricultural production.

The emergecy was declared following a meeting convened by Prime Minister Imran Khan. The meeting was attended by federal ministers and senior officials of the four provinces.

Pakistan requires &nbsp;a sum of Rs 7.3 billion to overcome the crisis.

Minister for National Food Security Khusro Bakhtiar informed the National Assembly about the gravity of the situation and the steps so far taken by the federal and provincial governments to deal with the crisis, the Dawn newspaper reported.

Khan directed the authorities concerned to make immediate measures based on damages to ripened crops.

"Protection of farms and farmers is the highest priority of the government. Therefore, the federal government should take all necessary steps to save national crops and provide required resources to the quarters concerned," Khan was quoted as saying in the Dawn report.

Pakistan has declared a national emergency to deal with insects destroying crops on a large scale in Punjab province, country's main region for agricultural production.

Pakistan has declared a national emergency to deal with insects destroying crops on a large scale in Punjab province, country's main region for agricultural production. The emergecy was declared following a meeting convened by Prime Minister Imran Khan. The meeting was attended by federal ministers and senior officials of the four provinces. Pakistan requires a sum of Rs 7.3 billion to overcome the crisis. Minister for National Food Security Khusro Bakhtiar informed the National Assembly about the gravity of the situation and the steps so far taken by the federal and provincial governments to deal with the crisis, the Dawn newspaper reported. Khan directed the authorities concerned to make immediate measures based on damages to ripened crops. "Protection of farms and farmers is the highest priority of the government. Therefore, the federal government should take all necessary steps to save national crops and provide required resources to the quarters concerned," Khan was quoted as saying in the Dawn report.

Pakistan PM Imran Khan declares national emergency to fight locusts

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-resumes-postal-mail-services-with-india-lifts-ban-on-delivery-of-letters-263104">Pakistan</a> is facing the oddest crisis of them all - locusts.&nbsp;

Coincidentally, tomato prices have sky-rocketed in Pakistan, with most farmers living in distress.&nbsp;

But the authorities have to now fight locusts as they're capable of destroying up to 40 per cent of the crops in the country.

Locusts are characterised by their short horns, dynamic colours, and the ability to travel long distances.

In fact, the pests have taken over Pakistan's most populous city, Karachi, over the course of last week.

Residents of the city, have taken to social media to vent their anger and have requested others to beware of these creatures.

The short-horned grasshoppers have also attacked farmlands in Sindh and Karachi.

Areas like Tharparkar, Mirpur Khas and Sanghar have lost 40 per cent of their crops. These include wheat, cotton and several vegetables.

According to many farmers, this is the worst locust crisis in two decades.&nbsp;

Pakistan's food security is under attack, as only two out of its 21 crop-spraying aeroplane fleet are functional. The country lacks the resources to win this battle. In the face of Pakistan's mounting debt, the scope for solutions becomes even dimmer.

Sindh's Minister of Agriculture recently suggested ''cooking'' the locusts and ''making biryani''&nbsp;to solve the problem.

The locust attack coincides with Pakistan's facing a shortage of basic food ingredients, with prices sky-rocketing. Tomatoes are increasingly becoming out of common man's reach. Priced at Rs 300 per kilogram, the important ingredient costs over $4.

In ideal socio-economic situations, tomatoes cost Rs 20 a kilogram, ie, a quarter of a dollar.

Recently, Iran offered to help Pakistan's tomato shortage by&nbsp;exporting tomatoes to them.

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Aftermath <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ban?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ban</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/smuggling?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#smuggling</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Iranian?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Iranian</a> fuel the carriers have started transporting <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Tomatoes?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Tomatoes</a> due to its <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/shortage?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#shortage</a> in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pakistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pakistan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Balochistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Balochistan</a> , footage shows cars loaded with tomatoes on Iranian side<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ThursdayMotivation?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ThursdayMotivation</a> <a href="https://t.co/kvQ26YQGSQ">pic.twitter.com/kvQ26YQGSQ</a>
— Daniyal Butt (@butt_daniyal) <a href="https://twitter.com/butt_daniyal/status/1194914331084906496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 14, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Two batches of tomatoes have already reached Pakistan but this move has been unsuccessful in keeping the prices in check.

Traders in Karachi, Rawalpindi and Peshawar are feigning ignorance to an increase in tomato supply. 
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Pakistan is facing the oddest crisis of them all - locusts. Coincidentally, tomato prices have sky-rocketed in Pakistan, with most farmers living in distress. But the authorities have to now fight locusts as they're capable of destroying up to 40 per cent of the crops in the country.

Pakistan is facing the oddest crisis of them all - locusts. Coincidentally, tomato prices have sky-rocketed in Pakistan, with most farmers living in distress. But the authorities have to now fight locusts as they're capable of destroying up to 40 per cent of the crops in the country. Locusts are characterised by their short horns, dynamic colours, and the ability to travel long distances. In fact, the pests have taken over Pakistan's most populous city, Karachi, over the course of last week. Residents of the city, have taken to social media to vent their anger and have requested others to beware of these creatures. The short-horned grasshoppers have also attacked farmlands in Sindh and Karachi. Areas like Tharparkar, Mirpur Khas and Sanghar have lost 40 per cent of their crops. These include wheat, cotton and several vegetables. According to many farmers, this is the worst locust crisis in two decades. Pakistan's food security is under attack, as only two out of its 21 crop-spraying aeroplane fleet are functional. The country lacks the resources to win this battle. In the face of Pakistan's mounting debt, the scope for solutions becomes even dimmer. Sindh's Minister of Agriculture recently suggested ''cooking'' the locusts and ''making biryani'' to solve the problem. The locust attack coincides with Pakistan's facing a shortage of basic food ingredients, with prices sky-rocketing. Tomatoes are increasingly becoming out of common man's reach. Priced at Rs 300 per kilogram, the important ingredient costs over $4. In ideal socio-economic situations, tomatoes cost Rs 20 a kilogram, ie, a quarter of a dollar. Recently, Iran offered to help Pakistan's tomato shortage by exporting tomatoes to them. Aftermath #Ban on #smuggling #Iranian fuel the carriers have started transporting #Tomatoes due to its #shortage in #Pakistan #Balochistan , footage shows cars loaded with tomatoes on Iranian side#ThursdayMotivation pic.twitter.com/kvQ26YQGSQ — Daniyal Butt (@butt_daniyal) November 14, 2019 × Two batches of tomatoes have already reached Pakistan but this move has been unsuccessful in keeping the prices in check. Traders in Karachi, Rawalpindi and Peshawar are feigning ignorance to an increase in tomato supply.

Pakistan under attack by locusts, more than 40% crops under risk

South West Asia swarmed by Locusts. Pakistan's threat to food security? Watch this video to find out more.

Pakistan's threat to food security?

locusts

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