FAO intensifies training of trainers in desert locust survey and reporting for locust officers in the Central Region

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) conducted intensive training in desert locust survey and reporting for locust officers from Sudan, Uganda, and Ethiopia. This training was a follow up of a regional Training of Trainers course on desert locust survey and reporting techniques held last year.

The 2020–2022 desert locust campaign in East African region exposed limited number of trainers that can effectively build capacities of survey, control and Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) officers. FAO responded by deploying experts in the region.

The trainees enhanced their knowledge on the use of maps, eLocist3, eLocust3m Pro, GPS and Compass as survey and reporting tools. Additionally, they received good understanding on biology and behavior of desert locust which would facilitate them to train other locust officers in the East Africa. Moreover, they acquired skills in how to conduct engaging training for the field officers. The trainees were guided on sequencing, selecting the training methods, and evaluating the impact of the skills training.

They conducted field practical exercise, during which printed locust images were used to simulate locusts. Simulation was used to demonstrate challenges associated with survey and difficulties of finding all locusts in the field.

The training was facilitated under the framework of "Desert Locust risk reduction in the Central Region and the Horn of Africa (GCP/INT/1032/USA)" financial supported by USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA). Ends