Scaling up training in drone use in desert locust survey and surveillance in the Central Region

11 March 2024, Dire Dawa – Lack of appropriate locust monitoring and preparedness has been identified as major constraints that affect desert locust management. This is corroborated by findings of the real time evaluation undertaken after the 2020-2022 desert locust campaign.

Other challenges include inaccessibility of some regions by vehicles or field officers due to lack of roads, difficult terrains, and insecurity.

Meanwhile, drones equipped with appropriate detection equipment could improve desert locust survey and surveillance in remote and hard to reach areas. They potentially cover larger areas in a short time with a minimum budget.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) developed the HP2 fixed wing drone and tested this model in the field between 2021 and 2023 in Mauritania, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan.

“Ideally, this model can fly up to about 80km providing accurate data on vegetation status. This technology is more appropriate in remote or mountainous areas that are not easily accessible by foot or vehicle as well as security risk areas,” emphasized George Ongamo, FAO Locust Management Expert.

A new breed of locust surveyors

About nine locust officers from Ethiopia, Kenya and Sudan were trained in the use of the latest HP2 drones for locust survey. They gained skills and knowledge in drone operation and maintenance.

“This is my first contact with drones. They will give us advantage to access those remote places and accurately collect data that would culminate in evidence-based locust control operation,” said Aschalew Tesfa, a locust officer from Ethiopia.

This regional training was organized in partnership with Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in the Central Region (CRC) under the framework of the project "Desert Locust Risk Reduction in the Central Region and the Horn of Africa (GCP/INT/1032/USA)" with financial support of USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA). Ends