The locust infestation now covers a wide area of 57 million hectares in all of Pakistan, however, the total crop area spreads over 23 million hectares, updated the Director-General of Crop Protection at the Ministry of Food Security And Research, Falak Naz.
He also said that all areas were not as severely affected yet but the invasion is growing rapidly.
Being an agricultural economy, the pest invasion is a bigger threat to the economy and food security of Pakistan than the contagion of coronavirus, said the Adviser to the Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Ahmad Jawad.
“You can save yourself from coronavirus by maintaining social distance, but there’s no escaping a hunger crisis if the locusts attack,” Jawad said.
Cotton crop seems to be more vulnerable to locusts attack after wheat, pulses, oil-seeds and mango crops have been damaged.
The loss of cotton crop will leave an adverse impact on the economy that is already collapsing, as the majority of exports are base don cotton trade.
The authorities concerned have to step-up the support for the agriculture sector as it faces its worst locust attack in three decades.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has allowed a release of funds amounting to Rs132 million, previously allotted for the coronavirus emergency in the province.
The CM also announced a release of further Rs286 million for the purchase of chemicals and 25 pesticide-spraying vehicles.
Wheat, oilseeds, pulses, fodder and vegetables have already been destroyed in Sindh, in an area of more than 166,701 hectares which is 13.8% of the province’s total crop area.
Cotton, sugarcane and other crops over more than 1.75 million hectares are also at risk of the pest attack.