FAO unveils innovative strategies for Red Palm Weevil Management in Egypt

In a pioneering step, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) unveiled innovative strategies to combat the red palm weevil during a workshop held in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation at the Dakhla Center in New Valley Governorate from March 17 to 21, 2025. The workshop saw extensive participation from agricultural experts and pest management specialists, all united in facing this destructive pest, reflecting FAO's commitment to achieving food security and sustainability in agriculture.

The workshop focused on showcasing a range of innovative solutions and contemporary techniques in red palm weevil management. Participants emphasized the importance of these strategies in protecting palm cultivation, a major income source for many farmers in Egypt.

The workshop aimed to equip participants with the knowledge and tools necessary to combat the red palm weevil through sustainable practices. Key highlights of the workshop included:

• Regional Knowledge Sharing: Participants discussed the outcomes of the regional program for red palm weevil management in the Near East and North Africa. Best practices and advanced techniques developed during the project were exchanged, including integrated pest management strategies and advanced detection techniques, contributing to reducing the spread of the red palm weevil.
• Awareness and Education: The workshop aimed to raise awareness among participants about FAO's efforts to combat the red palm weevil in Egypt and regionally, providing a comprehensive analysis of the challenges associated with this pest and the importance of coordination among different entities to address it.
• Innovative Solutions: Participants explored advanced research on innovative detection methods, monitoring techniques, and effective control strategies. Discussions highlighted the economic and social impacts of this pest, stressing the need for coordinated responses.
• Capacity Building: The workshop served as a comprehensive training platform for pest control engineers and agricultural advisors, including a field visit to a farm infested with the red palm weevil. Participants learned about the importance of applying good agricultural practices, regular inspections, visual checks on palm trees, stages and symptoms of red palm weevil infestation, preventive measures, and optimal use of traps and other control methods such as injections. This practical training enhanced participants' practical knowledge, strengthening their capabilities in managing risks associated with the red palm weevil.
• Farmer Empowerment: The workshop focused on introducing the concept of farmer field schools, designed to enhance participatory practical training. It emphasized the role of these schools in encouraging farmers to actively participate in red palm weevil management programs and adopt good agricultural practices. The importance of this approach was stressed to ensure the successful transfer of modern techniques and innovative methods to combat this pest in a participatory and simplified manner for local farmers.

This event is part of the activities of FAO's regional program on red palm weevil management in the Near East and North Africa. The program aims to support national efforts and assist countries in improving sustainable red palm weevil control strategies and programs. The program seeks to reduce the spread of this pest and eliminate it by providing stakeholders at both national and regional levels with the necessary tools for sustainable weevil control.