Swarms of locusts in Balochistan, Minister suggests biryani of insects

Taking a jibe over the situation of swarms of locusts that Pakistan's Balochistan is witnessing, Sindh minister of agriculture Ismail Rahu has asked the people to take advantage of the situation calmly by preparing delicious delicacies such as biryani and karahi with the insects. As per the video shared on social media, the insects were seen filling the skies in different parts of the city. "They have come all the way here so the residents should eat them," he said in while taking a sneer at the distressed situation.

Meanwhile, in Thar's Chacharo area, restaurants have been selling biryani and curry dishes made from locusts. One of the restaurant owners also shared the secret of how to cook these locusts. A locust has to be cleaned first, with its legs and the hind portion being detached from the body, he explained. Locusts have been long considered a delicacy in the region, with locals calling them a great source of vitamins.

However, Ismail Rahu assured people that these insects did not damage the crops in Malir and said that fumigation or insect-killing spray would be arranged in these areas.  The locust of swarms also affected The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy match, which was playing between Sindh and the North Zone at the National Stadium in Sindh. The swarm was large enough that the players had to stop playing and cover their eyes and ears in a bid to avoid contact with the insects.

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Consumption of insects across the world

According to a report published by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations in 2013, about 2 billion people consume insects as a part of their traditional diet across the world. This practice is called entomophagy. Entomophagy is practised in different countries such as China, New Zealand, Australia, Africa, Asia, and parts of Central and South America. 

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(With Inputs from ANI)