UAF VC for developing new biopesticides to curb locusts

FAISALABAD: University of Agriculture Faisalabad Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Ashraf has directed the locusts research and development cell to accelerate the pace of work and develop new biopesticides to curb locusts that were playing havoc with the agriculture sector.

He said this while chairing a performance review meeting of locusts’ cell of the varsity here on Monday. Entomology Chairman Dr Mansoor, Dr Jalal Arif, Dr Muhammad Saghir, Dr Amir Rasool and others scientists attended the moot.

Dr Muhammad Ashraf directed the meeting to analyse rearing life cycle and other aspects on the scientific basis. He said that Entomology, Bio-Chemistry and Physics scientists would work jointly on the research. He said that the Dhatura, Neem, Euclyptus and number of the other plants extracts should be tested for the toxic effects against the locusts at the earliest on the population present in the lab.

He showed his concern that the excessive use of lambda cyhaothrin on locusts control may cause shortfall of the pesticides for cotton use. Therefore, the scientists should develop effective and low cost biopesticides to avert its attack in future, he suggested. He said that the government was expecting from the UAF scientists to conduct the tangible research and development work and devise a strategy to curb the crisis. Dr Mansoor said that they had submitted the different research projects on locusts with the HEC that would help address the locusts at national level. He viewed that the tangible research and development work would pave a way to fight the issue.

Provincial Focal Person from Academia for Research on Locusts Prof Dr Jalal Arif said that all possible measures were being taken to conduct the valuable locust research work for the sustainable management. He said that active working on scientific basis was in full swing that would bring a positive result. He said they would provide a compressive and effective solution to the Punjab government and the Ministry of Food Security to curb the issue.

He told the meeting that UAF Entomology scientists Dr DildarGogi, Dr Shahid Majeed, Dr Muhammad Tayyab, Dr Nazir and Dr Sufiyan had submitted the research proposals on Eco Biology host plant feeding; systematic and morphological characteristics, molecular and biotechnical approaches. Dr Ameer Rasool and Dr Saghir briefed the meeting about the current field situation and botanical plant extracts.

Two commit suicide in Faisalabad: Two people committed suicide in separate incidents here on Monday. In the first incident, Asghar Ali of Chak 362/GB ended his life by hanging himself with a tree near his residence due to poverty and unfavorable domestic circumstances. In another incident, Dharkan Bibi, wife of Muhammad Ayub and a resident of Toba Tek Singh, committed suicide by swallowing poisonous pills due to a domestic problem.

INQUIRY ORDERED AGAINST COP: Regional Police Officer (RPO) Rifat Mukhtar Raja on Monday ordered an inquiry against Arshad Ali, in charge of Burj police-post, Balochni police station, on the charge of involving six persons in an alleged fake narcotics case.

The accused had demanded illegal gratification from Ali Sher, Sharjeel, Kaleem Ahmad and three others. When they refused to pay bribe, the accused cop involved them in a narcotics case by showing fake recovery of 2kg charas from their possession. The SSP Investigation had been appointed as an inquiry officer in the case. Earlier, the inquiry was ordered against the cop on the complaint of Muhammad Loona of Chak 47/RB, Chak Jhumra.

COP HELD: Police on Monday arrested naib Muharrar of Sargodha Road police station for releasing a kite dealer after taking bribe.

The police arrested Muhammad Qasim on the charge of releasing kite dealer Zubair Ahmad of Mansoorabad who was detained in the Sargodha Road police station lock-up on the charge of selling kites and strings.

MAN MURDERED: A man was murdered over a minor issue at Wahgewal on Monday. Reportedly, Muhammad Afzal was killed by accused Liaqat Ali after exchanging harsh words over children row. Police have registered a case against Liaqat and nine others.

WOMAN ARRESTED: Ghulam Muhammadabad police on Monday arrested a woman for damaging furniture of a Peeza shop when the owner of the shop did not pay salary to her son. The woman also allegedly tortured the shop owner.