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Desert locust preventive control strategy in the Near East and Horn of Africa

Year of publication 2020

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 2p.

Author FAO

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Brochure, flyer, fact-sheet

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) The desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria, DL) is one of the most devastating pests in agriculture. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Central Region area (of the Near East and Horn of Africa) is considered the source of many DL outbreaks. The Horn of Africa is now facing the worst DL crisis in over 25 years, and the most serious in 70 years for Kenya. The current situation – regarded as an upsurge with the potential to become a regional plague – represents an unprecedented threat to food security and livelihoods in the region. Established in 1965, the Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in the Central Region (CRC) plays a key role in enhancing Member Countries’ early preparedness and response capabilities with regard to DL and to address any gaps between calm situations and emergency situations, so that emergencies can be resolved efficiently and effectively. With regard to the current upsurge, the Commission has been raising the alarm on DL outbreaks since February 2019, and called for a High-Level Desert Locust Emergency Consultative Meeting in July 2019, Cairo, Egypt.

Language English

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    The desert locust Schistocerca gregaria (DL) is one of the most devastating pests in agriculture. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the central region area (of the Red Sea and Horn of Africa) is considered the source of many DL outbreaks. The Horn of Africa and Arab peninsula recently faced the worst DL crisis in over 25 years, and the most serious in 70 years for Kenya. The occurrence of outbreaks and upsurges represents a serious threat to the food security and livelihoods of the region. It is imperative to recognize the gravity of such situations and take necessary measures to mitigate their impact. Failure to do so could have severe consequences, including hunger, malnutrition, and economic instability. Thus, it is crucial to prioritize the prevention and control of these outbreaks to safeguard the well-being of individuals and the prosperity of the region.Established in 1967, the Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in the Central Region (CRC) plays a key role in enhancing Member Countries’ early preparedness and response capabilities with regard to DL and to address any gaps between calm situations and emergency situations, so that emergencies can be resolved efficiently and effectively.
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    The worst desert locust outbreak in decades is underway in the Greater Horn of Africa, where tens of thousands of hectares of cropland and pasture have been damaged in Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania, with potentially severe consequences for agriculture-based livelihoods in contexts where food security is already fragile. Highly mobile and capable of stripping an area’s vegetation, even a very small locust swarm can eat the same amount of food in one day as about 35 000 people. Intensive ground and aerial control operations are urgently needed (in addition to diligent surveillance) in order to detect and reduce locust populations, prevent more swarms from forming and avoid the spread to more countries. If swarms continue unhindered, this will have serious implications on crop production in the upcoming main season across the entire region. Efforts must also be made to protect the livelihoods of farmers and livestock holders – ensuring they have the inputs they need to restart production and have access to much-needed cash to meet their immediate food needs. FAO urgently requires USD 138 million to support rapid control actions and take measures to prevent a deterioration in the food security situation and safeguard livelihoods.
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