Next few weeks predicted as crucial for Pakistan`s anti-locust response.

ISLAMABAD -- As the latest desert locust situation update released by the Food and Agriculture Organisation says Pakistan should remain on `high alert` over the next four weel(s, the FAO on Monday handed over 20 ultra low volume (ULV) pesticides micron sprayers and other equipment to the Ministry of National Food Security and Research to boost desert locust surveillance and control efforts of the government.

The procurement of the sprayers for pesticide and protective gear, funded by the British governmentthrough its Department for International Development (DFID), and the GPS devices, was made by the FAO through its core funding.

Breeding has ended in southern Iran and southwest Pakistan where locust infestations are rapidly declining as a result of control operations and migration to the summer breading areas along the India-Pakistan border. At the same time, spring-bred adult groups and swarms continue to appear along the India-Pakistan border, according to the situation update.

Another 30 ULV sprayers are...