Current Affairs 2019-20 Locust invasion in Gujarat

Updated on 15 February 2020

By UPSC & State PSC

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Updated on 15 February 2020

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A massive locust invasion has gripped Northern Gujarat, causing substantial damage to standing crops. In Banaskantha, one of the areas under attack, the insects have hit crops for groundnut, castor and cotton crops in 87 villages. Sowing had also begun for mustard, cumin and wheat in the region.

As a corrective measure, the government has begun insecticide sprays and are considering preventive measures. The people are complaining that these are too little, too late and have gone back to traditional pest control methods like making a lot of noises to stop them.

Context:

The swarm of insects means widespread agricultural devastation as they can destroy a standing crop soon. They are believed to have come from Oman, but got diverted to Northern Gujarat, due to wind directions.

What you should know:

Locust invasions - how do they occur, how deadly are they to the agricultural economy

All the Best to All the SSC CGL 2020 Aspirants!

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