UAF calls for setting up Pak-China locust research institute.
FAISALABAD -- The University of AgricultureFaisalabad(UAF)stressed the need for collaboration between Pakistan and China in research and development by establishing the `PakChina Locust Research Institute` and development of a `locust information platform` at the provincial as well as national levels.
It was a part of the suggestions the university gave to the government for the long and short term strategies to control the menace.
The suggestions were sent to the Punjab agriculture department and the ministry of agriculture by the UAF VC office through a letter. The suggestions are based on finding s of the university scientists.
As a part of short-term strategy, the letter suggested to the government to identify the most effective pesticide for eradicating locust, eg lamdacyhalothrin, fipronil, malathion, chlorpyrifos, etc.
Steps were called for controlling the local locust-population to reduce the frequency of outbreak with appropriate chemical insecticides according to optimised dose, avoiding the unwise use of pesticides.
The university stressed the need for screening of available insecticides and insect growth regulators against locust in the lab and field and public awareness campaign and transfer of technology/community mobilisation through mass media campaign.
The UAF urged the government to prevent migratory locust swarms from further spread in the Erst landing place/border areas through aerial spray and application of suitable pes-ticides on settled swarm on trees and in bushes from early morning to llam and after 4pm.
Monitoring and forecast ability should be enhanced with steps such as setting up temporary monitoring stations in locust breeding regions and first landing places of migrating locust swarms, it said and suggested arrangements for micron sprayers and vehiclemounted sprayers at the earliest to control migratory locust swarms in the desert areas. The need for optimisation of spray equipment/nozzles etc coupled with indigenous manufacturing of such equipment was also stressed.
The university asked the government to initiate new short-term projects for screening of available biopesticides and insect growth regulators againstlocustin lab and held and to take steps for destroying the locust eggs laid in sand at the earliest. It called for public awareness campaign and transfer of technology/community mobilisation through the mass media campaign also vital.
About the long-term strategies, the scientists suggested to the...
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