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UPSIGN Webinar on Locust Control Strategies

LOCUST CONTROL STRATEGIES: SUCCESS STORIES & NEW APPROACHES

Pakistan is currently facing one of the worst locusts plagues this century. 57 million hectares have already been affected, with further invasion forecasted from the Horn of Africa. It has been declared a national emergency.

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This webinar & panel discussion from different experts shared their experience of successfully controlling locusts and new approaches to control locusts in Pakistan.
 

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Current locust control measures based on chemical insecticides, are providing some relief. However, this approach is not sustainable. It creates a new set of challenges such as the negative impact on health, residue build up, environmental pollution, and loss of biodiversity just to name a few.

For Pakistan, this is a unique opportunity. Spin out companies can be formed to create and test new products. Strategies need to be developed for monitoring and controlling the locusts, tackling both current and future threats.

The FAO, World Bank & Asian Development Bank are among several donors providing technical and financial assistance to reduce the impact of the plague but only time will tell if the measures were adequate.

 

Speakers & Panel members:

  • Dr David Hunter: President, & ADB Consultant on developing sustainable locust control strategies

  • Dr Belinda Luke: Senior Insect Pathologist & Team leader, CABI, UK

  • Professor Tariq Butt: Natural Product Group, Swansea University, UK

  • Professor Manzoor Soomro: President, Economic Cooperation Organization Science Foundation

  • Dr Farooq Shah: General Secretary UPSIGN & CEO, Razbio Ltd, UK

The webinar attendees were from leading research organisations & universities (both UK & Pakistan). As well as NIBGE, representatives from Agricultural Extension services and industry.

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Click here to access other UPSIGN webinars

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