RONO HILLS, May 30: Rajiv Gandhi University in partnership with the College of Horticulture & Forestry, Pasighat and Defence Research Laboratory, Tezpur organised a webinar on the theme ‘Locust Outburst and its Management Strategies’ on Saturday.

The objective of the webinar was to understand and share information on the recent invasion of locusts in the country among various stakeholders. It was organised by RGU’s Department of Zoology in collaboration with the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) Cell and participated by several faculty members, nodal officers of various colleges & institutes, NSS programme officers & volunteers and researcher scholars.  RGU VC  Professor Saket Kushwaha who is also an eminent agricultural economist after inaugurating underscored that the current locust outburst is going to be a major challenge for the Indian agricultural economy especially during the pandemic time and stressed on effective management strategies to contain the attack.

Director, Extension University of Agriculture & Technology, Banda UP Dr. N.K.  Bajpai explained the details of locust invasion and available control measures. Director, Defence Research Laboratory Tezpur Dr. S.K. Dwivedi highlighted about bioweapons and their consequences on agricultural economy. Professor Dipsikha Bora from the Department of Life Sciences, Dibrugarh University presented the role of pheromones and receptors on the outbreak of locust population and Principal scientist, IARI, Delhi Dr. Sachin Suresh  spoke on the current research trends on locust in India.

Dean, CHF Dr. B.N Hazarika highlighted on locust management strategies. RGU PR