Farmers do not fight locusts in the Mykolaiv region: crops have already been destroyed by drought

Fields in Snihuriv district, Mykolaiv region. Archive photo NikVesti

The emergence of locusts in Mykolaiv region and southern Ukraine was quite predictable, provided that insect clutches were monitored in a timely manner.

This was stated by Sergii Korniushenko, Agricultural Technology Development Manager of the Southern Region of LNZ Group, SuperAgronom reports.

According to him, due to the prolonged drought and abnormal heat, the harvest, in particular sunflower, was virtually destroyed in the region. In such conditions, local farmers no longer have the resources or motivation to protect their fields.

«Locusts fly from place to place quite quickly, so you need to react very quickly. Systemic insecticides do not solve the problem. We have treated the crops, but the locusts will not die until they eat the treated plants. There are fumigation machines that spray the insecticide, but you also need to react very quickly. In addition, it is impossible to predict the wind direction, and locusts often fly downwind,» explained Serhii Korniushenko.

The expert notes that an effective response requires aviation, as was the case during previous locust outbreaks, for example, 20 years ago in Donetsk region. But now such means are not available.

«Let's just say that no one has been conducting such monitoring, mainly because of the military operations, as the locusts were spreading from the frontline regions. It is very difficult to fight locusts now, and comprehensive measures are needed. Earlier, about 20 years ago, when there was an outbreak of locusts in Donetsk region, we used to use aircraft to respond quickly. Unfortunately, aviation is now unavailable due to, again, military operations, so the fight against locusts is becoming more difficult,» said Serhii Korniushenko.

We would like to remind you that in the Chornobaivska community in Kherson region, rumours of a massive locust infestation in the fields were not confirmed. Experts conducted a survey and assure that there is no threat. It is noted that a significant part of the sunflower crops suffered from abnormal heat and lack of moisture, and the harvest in these areas is subject to write-off.

Earlier it was reported that there were no locust outbreaks in Mykolaiv region, similar to those recorded in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions.