The current locust invasion is seen to be the worst in India in 27 years. India has not experienced such a giant-scale locust invasion since 1993. According to the locust forecasting officer at the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization, the current outbreak is observed to be the biggest, not merely in India but in Ethiopia and Somalia in 25 years and 70 years in Kenya. Desert locust is believed to be the most destructive migratory pest in the world. A single swarm can reach 1 square km and accommodate up to 80 million locusts.
The present locust swarm is predicted to threaten the food supply of millions of people all around the world. Each locust can eat its 2 gram body weight in food each day. Swarms of locusts that invaded India had made their path to at least four states (Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan) destroying acres of farmland on their way. Early attack came in December 2019, when parts of Gujarat were invaded by locusts destroying crops spread over 25000 hectares but this time around the attack is more severe and widespread. In Rajasthan crops spread over 5,00,000 hectares have already been destroyed and the locusts are making their way to other states.
The wet weather played a part in driving the current locust outbreak, but there is a likely connection between the current outbreak and climate change.
Desert locust are biphasic animals meaning they can take 2 forms: one is brown which is harmless but the other is electric yellow which is most fatal to the crops.
A cyclone struck the Arabian peninsular in 2018, forming freshwater ponds. The moisture lead to the growth of lush vegetation in an otherwise barren land and attracted desert locusts hunting for food leading to formation of an optimal breeding ground for locusts. Another cyclone struck the peninsular in October 2018, but this time locusts had just kicked a critical point and started expanding rapidly. Spurred by the ampler food supply created by the cyclone’s rain, their number increased 8000-fold in just a few months. This was followed by a moderate winter allowing locusts to survive in vast numbers. Then in the summer of 2019 the locusts started migrating from peninsular into Africa.
As locusts starting moving into Africa, more cyclones causing the swarms to grow even larger hit the African region. Indian ocean dipole caused the unusual wet weather in Africa. According to FAO, these swarms are predicted to reach India by next month.
The current swarms that invaded India, bread and matured in Iran and Balochistan in Pakistan. Swarm from the African region is expected to be worse than the present one, which is expected to arrive next month.
India has suggested for organized action against desert locusts to Pakistan and Iran. Because of proximity with Pakistan, the state of Punjab has issued a warning and put its farmers on alert. The same is being done by Telangana and Andhra Pradesh government. Government is doing very little to help the farmers. According to farmers of Gujarat, the government measures are ineffective as they are based on traditional methods of beating drums and playing loud music. Spray of chlorpyriphos or diflubenzuron is also recommended by the government but considering the kilometres long swarm of locusts, it is not possible for farmers to control the swarm on their own.
During the present COVID-19 situation, when there is a huge disruption in the supply chain of agriculture commodities, the current locust invasion is expected to destroy enormous areas of farmland leaving thousands of farmers in distress. When farmers are just trying to make ends meet, destruction of their fields has added to the already harsh life of the farmers. Farmers are asking the government to use choppers to spray insecticides but the government is reluctant to do so. The farmers are right in asking so because it is the duty of the government to support the backbone of Indian economy.
