Locusts attack orange orchards in Nagpur and Wardha

Orange crops and vegetable have been destroyed after swarms of locusts entered in some areas of Nagpur and Wardha districts in Maharashtra. Farmers have been alerted about the preventive measures to be taken.

Nagpur(Maharashtra): Swarms of locusts have damaged orange crop and vegetable plantations in some areas of Nagpur and Wardha districts in Maharashtra, an agriculture official said on Tuesday.

Divisional Joint Director of Agriculture, Ravi Bhosle, told reporters that large swarms of locusts stretching up to 17 kms in length and 2 to 2.5 km in width entered the farms in Fetri, Khangaon in Katol in Nagpur district and in Ashti taluka in Wardha district on Saturday night.

The orange season in Katol is in full bloom, he said.

Fortunately, as the Kharif season is yet to started, there are no major standing crops in fields except vegetables like brinjal, ladies' fingers besides orange orchards.

"No major financial loss is caused for crops due to the locust attack, however, some patches of orange orchards and vegetable fields suffered damage due to the pests," Bhosle said.

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Agriculture workers started spraying pesticides and chemicals on plants and fields from truck-operated sprayers and fire extinguishers since Saturday, he said.

Bhosle further informed that the swarms were spotted in Parseoni and Kalmeshwar areas of Katol on Monday also.

"Farmers have been alerted about the preventive measures to be taken, such as making noises and community spraying of insecticides," said Bhosle.

"A comprehensive survey is being carried out by the Department of Agriculture. We are alerting the farmers about the preventive measures to be undertaken to minimise the loss. Farmers should form small groups at night to protect the crops", said Dr. Prashant Umbarkar, scientist.(With inputs from PTI)