The recent news features a significant event – the invasion of the northern parts of Gujarat by the migratory insect, locust, infamously known as ‘tiddis.’ This invasion has led to substantial damage to various agricultural sectors, including castor, cumin, jatropha, cotton, potato crops, and fodder grass across 20 talukas. The massive scale of this invasion is previously unseen in Gujarat since 1993-94.
The Origin and Trajectory of Locusts
Tracing back their origin, these locusts sprouted in February 2019 from Sudan and Eritrea, situated on Africa’s Red Sea Coast. From there, they travelled through Saudi Arabia and Iran to enter Pakistan. They invaded the Sindh province in Pakistan and then moved into Indian territories of Rajasthan and Gujarat. The long-drawn south-western monsoon in India aided them in their journey.
Alerts by International and National Organizations
Recognizing the severity of this situation, The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) issued an alert for a major locust attack covering South Asia, specifically Pakistan, and India. The Locust Warning Organization (LWO) in Jodhpur also spotted these swarms and managed to predict their trajectory across the international border.
About Locusts
Locusts, a large tropical grasshopper species, possess strong flying abilities. Their specialty lies in their ability to change behaviour, gregarize, and form migrating swarms that can cover large distances. They are typically active during summer and the rainy season, especially in June and July. Locusts have a high multiplying rate and can increase their population up to 20-fold in just three months. They can travel up to 150 km per day, thanks to their superior flying abilities.
| Locust Facts |
|---|
| Active Season: June-July |
| Multiplication Rate: 20-fold in three months |
| Travel Distance: Up to 150 km/day |
The Threat to Vegetation
Locusts pose a severe threat to agricultural and food security due to their high capacity for consumption. An adult locust consumes its own weight daily, which is equivalent to around two grams of fresh vegetation. This means, a small swarm of locust can eat as much as 35,000 people would consume in a day.
Role of FAO and LWO
To combat this, the FAO provides vital information regarding the locust situations globally and issues timely warnings to countries at risk of invasion. Concurrently, India’s Locust Warning Organisation (LWO), Directorate of Plant Protection Quarantine and Storage, part of the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, is responsible for monitoring, surveying, and controlling Desert Locust in Scheduled Desert Areas, especially in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
Source: TH
