In northern India's Jammu and Kashmir state, farmers in the Kathua district and its adjacent areas have been hit by a swarm of crop-destroying grasshoppers.

According to officials, a new species of grasshopper is destroying corn, rice paddy, fodder and barley crops.

[Balwinder Singh, Farmer]:
"We are facing a lot of problems due to the grasshopper attack. Our harvests of rice, corn and cattle feed have been seriously damaged."

Farmers say they'll take a big financial hit due to the damage.

[R. S. Andotra, Local Official]:
"Corn, cherry and barley crops are mainly affected. The situation has worsened now. Initially, the farmers tried reducing the damage by spraying pesticides. We also gave subsidies. It is under control."

More than 2,000 acres of land may have been damaged.

[R. S. Andotra, Local Official]:
"Grasshoppers have been attacking the region over the last five or six years but it was a different species. This year a new species has attacked, which is born after rainfall. These grasshoppers are bigger in size and a different species. They have wreaked havoc in the region and it is becoming very difficult to control them."

The agricultural department is supplying pesticide spray at a subsidized rate, but it isn't helping villagers much.

The birth rate of insects is increasing every day due to the incessant rainfall.