Locusts’ attacks on several African countries have made many Bangladeshi experts apprehensive of occurrence of such insect attack in Bangladesh. They, however, advised all concerned to remain vigilant against any possible locusts’ attacks on the agriculture. The risk is higher next year than this year.
The Food and Agriculture (FAO) Organization of the United Nations sent a letter to the Ministry of Agriculture, advising it to remain alert with advance preparations.
The United Nations (UN) fears the locusts’ attacks may spread to 30 countries. After receiving this warning letter from the UN, the Ministry of Agriculture has also directed the country's Department of Agriculture Extension to remain alert. Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) is working on the issue as per the government's directive. They are monitoring the locust’s movement as well as collecting information about the insects.
However, no notification has so far been issued at the field level across the country in fear of panic and propaganda. Since the end of last year, locusts attacked a number of countries, including Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, causing extensive damage to the crops.
Earlier this year, locusts reportedly caused significant crops damage in Pakistan and Punjab province of India. The locusts have also entered Punjab in India across the Punjab province of Pakistan. Nevertheless, the spreading range was three kilometers.
Pakistan has already declared a state of emergency in the wake of locusts’ attacks, prompting it to adopt a national plan to address the problem. Department of Agriculture Extension’s director of plant protection Shabbir Ibn Jahan said, "The locusts are now far away from our country,"
In addition, our weather is not conducive to the spread of locusts, he added. “As a result, we have nothing to fear about these insect attacks on agriculture. If it attacks West Bengal, then we have to worry. We are preparing to address this”, he added.
He later mentioned that, although no effective method has been discovered so far to suppress this pest, in the last 55 years, there has been no invasion of locusts in the northern Bangladesh.
In this regard, Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Mohammad Nasiruzzaman said, "There is no possibility of invasion of locusts in our country. These insect prefer dry weather. Our weather is humid and dry, which is not favorable weather for locusts.”
"We are still taking preparations inside. We have asked the Department of Agriculture Extension to remain careful. However, there is no reason for us to be afraid of these insects”, he added.