FAO calls for a paradigm shift from reaction to prevention in locust and grasshopper management

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has advocated for changing from reacting when there is an outbreak to preventing it through the use of the available innovative technologies in locust and grasshopper management, at the 14th International Congress of Orthopterology (ICO) held in Yucatán, Mexico. The Orthopterists' Society organized the Congress with the support of partners, including FAO with participants from 29 countries. 

Held under the theme "Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management”, the Congress provided a platform to present FAO’s global leadership role in locust early warning and management.  

“Through the FAO locust preventive control strategy, innovative tools have been introduced and deployed for monitoring, early warning, and forecasting to allow timely action to prevent and control desert locust outbreaks,” said Shoki Al Dobai, Team Leader of Locusts and Transboundary Plant Pests and Diseases.​  

FAO has developed technologies such as geospatial tools such as the Automatic System of Data Collection, and the locust management system, in addition to locust early warning and management technologies like eLocust3m, eLocust3mPro, drones for survey operations, and the Locust Pesticide Management System.  

The upsurges of locusts can cause severe economic losses both for national economies and livelihoods. The Desert Locust upsurges/plagues can impact one-tenth of the world's population in up to 60 countries. In the Caucasus and Central Asia, locusts can affect the livelihood of over 25 million people.  The event aimed to facilitate the exchange of up-to-date research achievements innovations, and technical knowledge in the handling and management of locust emergencies implemented by national and regional organizations at a global level. 

Furthermore, FAO has supported the strengthening of national and regional capacities in the use of these new digital tools in locust management.  

Alliance of locust scientists to advocate for biopesticides    

FAO has been promoting the use of a biological insecticide that attacks locusts and grasshoppers only and has no negative impact on human health and the environment.  

The event session on “Mycopesticides for locust control” organized by the FAO Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in the Western Region (CLCPRO), highlighted the urgency to introduce practices that are least harmful to human health and the environment such as the use of biopesticides and other safer alternatives.  

“Biopesticides, for example, those based on entomopathogenic fungi, should become key tools in sustainable locust and grasshopper management,” said Alexandre Latchininsky, FAO Senior Locust Management Expert, adding “Their introduction into practice will require tremendous educational efforts at all levels, from locust and grasshopper control agencies to national and international decision-makers and donors.”  

The Congress appreciated FAO’s locust preventive control approach and created an alliance of locust scientists to advocate the FAO efforts of promoting the use of locust biopesticides and reducing the use of chemical pesticides. 

The future of locust management 

Shoki called on the countries and Organizations to continue the research and development efforts for the locust prediction models and studies of climate change impact and adaptation measures. ​ 

Additionally, relentless support should be given to the affected countries to have contingency plans and preparedness to fight against the locusts. ​Equally important was adopting and promoting FAO locust preventive control strategy in different regions.  ​  

At the meeting partner organizations in the region requested FAO’s support in harmonizing the regional monitoring and early warning system with FAO systems, and to set up a regional programme for locust management. Ends 

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