Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia

"According to the FAO forecast for 2020, the increase in overall population of desert locust, as well as spread of pest in different geographical areas is groundless" stated Levan Davitashvili

After the meeting of the Coordination Council, the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Levan Davitashvili  made a comment upon the migration of desert locusts in Georgia.


"The incompetent, wrong information was spread about the invasion and spread of desert locust in Georgia. This pest has never been observed on the territory of Georgia. The studies are conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). According to the FAO forecast for 2020, the increase in overall population of desert locust, as well as spread of pest in different geographical areas is groundless. The opinion on the possibility of spreading the pest wasn’t shared by specialists as well.

We have provided the population with the information in relation to locusts. However, Italian locust pests threatening agricultural crops are observed in eastern Georgia - in Kakheti and Kvemo Kartli regions.
 
We are fighting intensively against this pest. A special program is implemented annually against the pests. It should be noted, that above mentioned pest  damages our border areas to a great extent and is  migrated from our neighboring countries. This year, due to climatic conditions, we have to fight against locusts in entire Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, the suburbs of Tbilisi, Mtskheta-Mtianeti and Shida Kartli regions.

"Fighting agricultural pests is important to save the crop, maintain the green cover and prevent economic damage" - said Levan Davitashvili.