World News| Afghanistan: FAO warns of severe locust outbreak in 8 provinces

kabul [Afghanistan]May 12 (ANI): The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has issued a warning of a widespread outbreak of Moroccan locusts in eight provinces in the wheat-growing regions of northern and northeastern Afghanistan, the Khaama Press reported.

In addition to Badakhshan, Badghis, Baghlan, Balkh, Kunduz, Samangan, Sar-e-Pul and Takhar, locust sightings have also been reported in Herat and Ghor provinces of Afghanistan.

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This is because the country is experiencing a severe humanitarian disaster under the hardline Taliban regime. According to the analysis, Afghanistan will still experience the worst humanitarian crisis in the world in 2023, and the large-scale outbreak of Moroccan locusts in the above-mentioned areas will make the situation worse.

“Reports of an outbreak of Moroccan locusts in Afghan wheat baskets have caused great concern. The Moroccan locusts eat more than 150 types of vegetation, including tree crops, pastures and 50 food crops, all of which grow in Afghanistan. It has been reported by Khaama said Richard Trenchard, FAO Representative in Afghanistan, the Press reported.

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Moroccan locusts are one of the most expensive plant pests in the world. According to FAO, crop losses from a full-blown epidemic this year could range from 700,000 to 1.2 million tonnes of wheat, resulting in economic losses.

“In the last two big outbreaks 20 and 40 years ago, Afghanistan lost an estimated 8% and 25% of its total annual wheat production. This year’s crop forecast is the best we have seen in the past three years – but this outbreak Could destroy Trenchard further said that all these recent developments will dramatically worsen food insecurity later this year and next, according to the Khaama Press.

Since the Taliban took control of the country in mid-August 2021, the economic and political situation in Afghanistan has only gotten worse.

According to international assessments, Afghanistan is currently grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis and the country currently has the highest number of people in the world in a state of emergency food insecurity.

In addition, the Ukraine crisis has had a huge impact on rising food costs and making them unaffordable for many Afghans. Afghan children and women have been most affected by the atrocities the Taliban have unleashed in the country since they took control.

In the face of a decades-long conflict, Afghanistan is grappling with a host of challenges, including food shortages, as foreign governments cut development funding and impose sanctions, largely due to the Taliban’s restrictions on women.

Since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021 after the US withdrew from the country, women have not been allowed to work in education, gyms or public spaces in domestic and international organisations. (Arnie)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from a Syndicated News feed, the content body may not have been modified or edited by LatestLY staff)