The probability of the dispersion of harmful locusts have also been announced in Uzbekistan

The reports on the proliferation of the number of Moroccan locusts in agricultural fields in the Aksy region in Kyrgyzstan Social networks has spread on social media.

Bakhtiyar Muhammadev, a specialist from the Department of Plant Protection and Agrochemistry of the Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan, assessed the risk of locust spread in the country.

According to him, in order to eliminate the danger of the emergence of harmful locusts in Uzbekistan, autumn and early spring monitoring is held every autumn and spring, chemical control measures are planned based on long-term observations of locust wintering and egg-laying time, and timely organizational measures are taken.

There are no reports of the risk of African locust attack in Uzbekistan.

"Currently, anti-locust control measures in our republic are implemented by Locust Control Services of the Agency of Plant Quarantine and Protection of the Republic of Uzbekistan which is financed by the state budget,"-he said.

The expert did not rule out the possibility of locust spread in Uzbekistan.

“So far, no country has developed a mechanism to control locust spread. This message calls for awareness.  Every year, there is a risk of locusts flying from the border areas of neighboring countries to the territory of Uzbekistan», – Muhammedov said.

According to his words, this year there is a risk of locusts attacking 50-60 thousand hectares of agricultural lands.  In this case, all equipment will be mobilized, extensive chemical treatment will be carried out and measures will be taken to eliminate the risk of locust spread to large areas, – the representative of the Ministry said.