The year 2020 will be one of the few in histories that will be hard to forget. The world is dealing with the pandemic, but alongside COVID-19, India is dealing with multiple issues which include cyclones, and a locust attack. These locusts found their way into the country, affecting Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and New Delhi. The infestation has already destroyed crops in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. They can travel up to 150 kilometres in a day and devour equal the amount of their body weight which is 2g approx. These are the oldest migratory pest, and of all, desert locust is likely to cause the maximum damage. They are usually harmless and solitary but become dangerous when their population grows high. The present weather conditions are in favour of the locusts, letting them breed 400 times higher than the usual. India is combating with the pesticides to take control of the infestation.
Dichlorvos (DDVP) and Malathion, are the potent insecticides, used to control locust in India. However, Dichlorvos will be banned from December 31, 2020.
Above all, an army of ducks and chickens could be more effective than chemical pesticides. But to get such many of these armies immediately could be the downside. Using ducks to control locust infestation dates back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), mentioned in the book, “Ancient Agricultural History of China”. A single duck can eat over 200 locusts in a day while chickens can eat about 70, more than threefold higher than a chicken. Besides, ducks usually love to munch on locust and could be used as a biological weapon.