Desert Locust Control Management: Innovative Technology on the Front Lines in the Battle Against locust

Abstract

The Desert Locust Schistocerca gregaria (Forsskal) is one of the most devastating pests in agriculture. Locust swarms can fly for hundreds of kilometres between different breeding areas and rapidly move from one country or region to another. If infestations are not detected early, massive plagues can develop that often take several years and hundreds of millions of dollars to bring under control. Combating these fast-moving locust swarms requires special technical, managerial and logistical skills. National, regional and international capacities are required to coordinate locust control operations effectively and to minimize the risks to food security and subsequent economic and social damage. For over 65 years, FAO has been helping at-risk countries win the fight against locust infestations. FAO has developed and used many modern tools such as eLocust3, Track Guidance System, Ultra Low Volume and drone technologies that allow locust management, field survey and control teams to map the movements of locusts across countries and starting control operation to bring locust under control before it does severe damage.