Federal Minister for National Food Security & Research Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar chaired a meeting on Monday to review current situation and National Action Plan to control locust wherein it was informed that after timely measures by the government pesticide, sprayers and surveillance devices have been transported to respective districts of Balochistan.
The meeting was attended by officials from NDMA, PDMA, provincial agriculture departments and senior officials of National Food Security & Research. The Minister was briefed about the ongoing progress in Balochistan, Sindh, Punjab & KP regarding surveillance, logistics and plan of action about breeding, egg lying and nymphs. Taking stock of the situation, it was apprised that next 4-6 weeks are very critical for Balochistan. The government has instituted an effective system of coordination, surveillance, control and monitoring in this regard.
The Minister was briefed about spray and surveillance done in four districts of Balochistan and in Punjab the surveillance teams are working to collect the data regarding production of locust. The Federal Minister inquired about the on-ground action taken by the provinces, performance of surveillance teams and logistic requirements in vulnerable areas of Balochistan and Punjab.
It was informed that a high-level Chinese technical delegation comprising agriculture experts have visited locust-prone areas across Pakistan and soon they will submit a report in the light of which national action plan on locust will be further strengthened.
The Minister expressed concern over delay in data gathering and mapping by the nominated teams in the designated areas and asked the provincial & Federal departments to co-ordinate with NDMA to resolve issues of logistics to speed up the process. The Minister directed the provincial and federal departments to revise their national action plan and submit it within 48 hours keeping in view the importance of matter.
