The Government of Kazakhstan is taking active measures to prevent the locust invasion this year, allocating additional funds for these purposes in the amount of about 4 billion tenge. Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov signed the corresponding decree, El.kz reports.
In particular, 3.9 billion tenge was allocated from the Government's reserve fund for urgent expenses for large-scale chemical treatments against locusts throughout the forecast area. The goal is to prevent the mass development and spread of insects, protect pastures, destroy crops and prevent their migration to neighboring states.
In recent years, there has been an increase in the area affected by locusts in Kazakhstan: from 514 thousand hectares in 2020 to 975 thousand hectares in 2022. In 2023, the projected area of distribution reached 1,585 thousand hectares, with 1,616 thousand hectares actually treated. The years 2023-2024 are considered to be the peak years in the 11-year locust cycle.
Earlier this year, 4.2 billion tenge was allocated from the republican budget for the treatment of 1,270.6 thousand hectares. However, the revised forecast shows an increase in the area of locust herds in 2024 to 2.5 million hectares.
The additional funds will be used for chemical treatment against locust pests on an area of 1.3 million hectares.
It is noted that both gregarious (Asian locust, Italian locust and Moroccan locust) and non-gregarious locust species are found on the territory of Kazakhstan. Measures to protect against locust infestations are financed from the republican budget, including the purchase of pesticides and services for their storage, transportation and use.