Farmers need not worry, locusts have diverted away: Karnataka minister

Karnataka Agriculture Minister BC Patil said that farmers across the state need not worry about locust attacks, as the large swarm that had entered the country has now "diverted" towards other states. Farmers in the northern regions of Karnataka have been worried about the possibility of a locust attack after swarms ravaged crops in many northern states.

Bengaluru (Karnataka): Agriculture Minister BC Patil Monday sought to allay apprehensions among farmers about the possibility of a locust attack, saying there was no need to be afraid as the swarm had "diverted" to other states.

In the wake of locust attacks in many northern states, the Karnataka farmers were also worried, especially those from North Karnataka regions such as Bidar and Kalaburagi.

The minister, however, said there was no need to be afraid. "There is no need to be afraid of locusts. It was never a problem in Karnataka," Patil told reporters in Tumakuru.

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He said that he was also worried when the news broke that a large swarm of locusts had entered the country. "We were also afraid that it may reach Bidar, Kalaburagi or Yadagiri and we had made preparations accordingly but luckily it diverted to other states," Patil said.

Patil also cited the state government's various welfare schemes for the benefit of farmers.

(PTI Report)