Locusts may hit East Kalimantan

Locusts may hit East Kalimantan

SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: Officials have warned of a locust
attack on rice fields in the dry season which begins in September
and may last until January 2000, Antara reported on Friday.

The locust, locally known as Belalang Kembara (Lacusta
Migratoria) hit 2,000 hectares of farming area of Sangkulirang
and Muara Wahau districts in Kutai regency during the dry season
last year, according to Sofyan Alex, head of the provincial
farming and horticulture agency.

In a bid to control the pest, the local administration has
assigned several surveillance officials to monitor the fields as
well as establish a necessary insecticide formula, the news
agency said. (edt)