The updated version of the desert locust guidelines focusing on safety and environmental precautions has been released. These guidelines are designed to help manage desert locust control operations in a safe and sustainable manner, minimizing potential harm to both people and ecosystems.

At the 11th Session, member countries of the FAO Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in the Western Region (CLCPRO) lauded the significant progress made in the collective fight against desert locust threats across the region. The Commission enhances national locust management capabilities while integrating advanced technologies.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) provided expert support to India’s locust control efforts by conducting surveys of desert locust activity across the Jodhpur, Bikaner, and Jaisalmer districts, which are particularly vulnerable to locust swarms. Over the course of seven days, the team covered a total of 2 570 kilometers, inspecting 30 different survey points. While some areas showed no locust activity, isolated immature solitarious adults were spotted in other regions.

Locusts pose a severe threat to food security, livelihoods, and ecosystems, as their massive swarms can devour crops and pastures, leaving communities devastated. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) tackles this challenge through a comprehensive One Health approach, combining early warning systems and swift interventions to manage locusts while safeguarding both human and environmental health.

The 33rd Session and 37th Executive Committee Meeting of the FAO Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in the Central Region (CRC) have opened in Kuwait, with call for increased regional cooperation, greater investments, and the adoption of digital innovations to effectively manage desert locusts.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) hosted students from the University of Florence, showcasing its efforts to protect and promote sustainable food systems. Through thematic sessions, postgraduate students from the Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment, and Forestry explored FAO's work on managing transboundary plant pests, pesticide safety, international plant health standards and global cooperation for sustainable agriculture.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Türkiye jointly organized two virtual consultation meetings to identify emerging research themes and developing a platform and knowledge hub for agricultural research and innovation in Central Asia and the Caucasus.

 

Huizhou, China - From November 11-16, 2024, a significant workshop took place in Huizhou City, Guangdong Province, where stakeholders from Ghana and Kenya joined forces with experts from China and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The goal was to share knowledge and train in innovative strategies to monitor and sustainably manage the fall armyworm (FAW) pest.

The Locust Pesticide Management System (LPMS) has been introduced in Uganda’s pesticide store to support the effective management of pesticides, equipment, and other items related to desert locust control campaigns. Developed by FAO, the system aims to enhance the preparedness for early response to desert locust outbreaks and upsurges.

The fifteenth technical workshop on locusts in Caucasus and Central Asia discussed lessons learnt from the 2024 national anti-locust campaign and preparations of the next campaign. The event provided a platform for exchange of knowledge and information on locust management. 

The 'SusaHamra' application, highlighted among the key achievements during the programme's closure on red palm weevil eradication, is streamlining management processes for the pest in countries that have adopted the system. 

The Steering Committee noted progress made in the implementation of the master’s (MSc) programme on Locust Management Science currently hosted at the Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II (IAV) in Agadir, Morocco. Initiated in 2023, the MSc programme aims to enhance and upgrade the skills, knowledge, and competencies of young locust control officers.

The spread of banana bunchy top disease (BBTD) and Fusarium wilt Tropical Race 4 (TR4) in Central and Western African regions poses a serious threat to economic growth and sustainable development. FAO is supporting countries to improve their emergency preparedness to limit the spread and introduction of the two diseases to unaffected areas, through awareness-raising and the development of contingency plans.

The young professionals who were at the forefront of the fight against desert locusts during the 2019–2021 upsurge have undergone a refresher training on the general organization and structure of desert locust campaigns. The training reequipped the 'reserve team' with skills that enable them to train others in their respective counties whenever called upon.

A team of agricultural officers in Uganda has undergone refresher training on desert locust survey and reporting. The participants had previously received basic training during the 2020–2022 desert locust campaign. Although Uganda is currently free of desert locusts, the country remains vulnerable to potential invasions.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) commemorated the 30th anniversary of its Emergency Prevention System (EMPRES). The special side event “Towards a sustainable future: Leading the fight against transboundary pests and diseases” recognized EMPRES's crucial role in responding to devastating locust swarms, preventing the spread of emerging livestock and zoonotic diseases, and containing plant pathogens. 

Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations (FAO) is enhancing the capacity of locust survey officers to strengthen locally-led response. “Capacity building for these officers can easily be ignored during locust recession periods and before the locust outbreak,” observed FAO Locust Management Expert. 

Following several field trials in different conditions, the new Locust Pesticide Management System (LPMS) has been launched in countries across North Africa, Eastern Africa and the Middle East. The advanced digital tool is designed to support countries to better manage and monitor pesticide stocks and equipment used for locust control to enhance preparedness.  

Wheat rust diseases threaten to affect approximately 0.5 million hectares of Turkmenistan’s arable land. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is supporting the government of Turkmenistan to develop the first ever national strategy and the accompanying contingency plan for the prevention and management of the complex wheat rusts.

At the High Level Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) Forum on Food Security and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Uzbekistan, FAO locust experts called on countries to invest in preventive measures and new technologies to protect food security and ensure sustainable environment. Among the high-level participants included FAO Director General, QU Dongyu, and Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Abdulla Aripov.