As part of a working visit to Turkestan region, Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin inspected the fields of the districts where mass treatment against locusts is being carried out, El.kz cites primeminister.kz.
Turkestan region is among the top-3 regions in terms of the largest areas to be treated. It was the first to enter the phase of active fight against the most dangerous locust species Moroccan locust. A total of 272 thousand hectares of land is to be treated, of which 252 thousand hectares have already been treated as of 19 May, which is 93%. In the coming days, work on the remaining 20 thousand hectares will be completed.
Over 360 people are engaged in processing of such huge areas of the region. These are inspectors, specialists from districts and cities of Turkestan and other regions, forecasting centre and even local residents. The work is done on foot, by cars, with the help of aeroplanes and drones. A total of 162,000 hectares are being treated from the ground, 107,000 hectares from the air, 1,000 hectares using knapsack sprayers, and 1.4,000 hectares using drones.
Serik Zhumangarin studied mechanisms and methods of treatment against locusts on site, talked to contractors who carry out the entire cycle of works against pests: from supply and storage of drugs to treatment services.
It should be reminded that in Turkestan region the whole cycle of services is being tested by one contractor as a pilot project. It is planned to switch to a centralised single procurement of services for locust control throughout the country next year.