In 2024, a locust invasion is expected in three regions of Kazakhstan. The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) has revealed their plans to combat the pests.
Darhan Abdikarimov, the Acting Chairman of the State Inspection Committee in the agro-industrial complex of the MoA, stated that Kazakhstan is home to over 270 species of locust insects, with 10-15 species being dangerous pests to grain, vegetable crops, pastures, and hayfields. The most dangerous and harmful are the gregarious species of locusts - the Asian, Moroccan, and Italian locusts.
"In 2024, the spread of gregarious locust pests is predicted to cover an area of 2,538,035 thousand hectares. The highest distribution is expected in the Aktobe region - 784 thousand hectares, Kostanay region - 776 thousand hectares, and Turkestan region - 271 thousand hectares," noted Darhan Abdikarimov.
He also mentioned that the situation with locusts on border territories is constantly monitored. Kazakhstani specialists conduct joint surveys with experts from Uzbekistan and Russia.
"To combat gregarious locusts, 8.1 billion tenge has been allocated from the republican budget and government reserves. Pesticides have been sent to all regions, except for the Akmola, Pavlodar, and North Kazakhstan regions, as treatment in these regions will start later," added Abdikarimov.
The treatment will be carried out using ground, fan, and boom sprayers, aerosol gas generators, airplanes, UAVs, and backpack sprayers.
In the summer of 2023, swarms of locusts invaded two districts in the Kostanay region - Zhangeldin and Amangelidin. Shortly after, complaints about the unwelcome neighbors were received from the Aktobe region.
At that time, the locust invasion in the MoA was linked to solar activity.
