Punjab injects PKR 1bn in anti-locust operation to save crops
Monday June 01, 2020
Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Sardar Usman Buzdar on Friday announced the release of PKR 1 billion funds to counter the provincial locust outbreak and ordered an assessment of the crop damage that it has caused, according to news sources. Read: NDMA launches helpline for farmers to register locust-related complaints Buzdar made the announcement while presiding over a meeting to review the countermeasures of the locust attack. He also permitted the use of the provincial government’s helicopter for the locust surveillance in the afflicted district and directed the members to submit daily reports to his office. Read: Japan to provide pesticides, related products to help Pakistan combat locust attack Furthermore, the chief minister also issued directions to the Pakistan Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and the Agriculture Department regarding the locust outbreak and ordered round-the-clock monitoring of the spread. He revealed that aerial sprays were also being executed in the infected districts – with assistance from the federal government. Moreover, Buzdar said that the anti-locust efforts shall continue to deal with the predicted second wave of locust attack in June and July.
