New Delhi, May 29 -- The Union Agriculture Ministry has ramped up its efforts in controlling the spread of crop-damaging locust swarms mostly prevalent in northern India. As part of the efforts, it has said to procure 15 sprayers from the UK in a fortnight. Adding further, it said that there are plans afoot to deploy drones and helicopters for the aerial spray of pesticides.

Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar stated, "There was no information of entry of any new locust swarm on Thursday (May 28) from Indo-Pak border areas," adding further, "Control measures are in full swing in close coordination with state agriculture departments, local administration and Border Security Force (BSF)."

The government at the centre is monitoring t...