NAIROBI, Kenya – Transboundary pests such as desert locusts, quelea birds, African Armyworms, and Red Palm Weevil are increasingly compromising agricultural productivity across the region, raising concerns about the fragile state of food security.
The Desert Locust Control Organization for Eastern Africa (DLCO-EA) has warned that the region remains at high risk of infestations from these pests due to the impacts of climate change.
The organization’s director, Moses Mwesigwa, emphasized the need for heightened vigilance and improved preparedness by member countries to implement early warning actions.
“Climate change is exacerbating the breeding and spread of migratory pests within the region. This requires immediate and sustained action by IGAD member countries and regional bodies,” Mwesigwa stated at a recent high-level meeting focused on mitigating food insecurity through transboundary pest control in the Horn of Africa.
He underscored the importance of bolstering the capacity of member countries’ early warning systems and enhancing the roles of regional bodies like the DLCO-EA, which are tasked with aerial surveys, pest control, applied research, and information sharing.
Mwesigwa reassured that DLCO-EA remains committed to its mandate, which includes conducting aerial surveys, controlling migratory pests, and building member countries’ capacities.
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) member states—Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda—are particularly vulnerable due to their shared agricultural practices and environmental conditions.
These states cover a vast area of 5.2 million square kilometers and support a population of 261.2 million people, many of whom rely on agriculture for their livelihoods.
The region has faced significant challenges recently, such as the upsurge of the desert locust that began in December 2019, severely affecting Kenya and other countries.
The locust swarms, which originated from Ethiopia and Somalia, threatened food security and economic stability by damaging crops and pastures.
With support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Kenya managed to protect pastoralist livelihoods, saving crops worth $3.4 million. However, the threat of subsequent generations of locusts remains a concern.
Somalia’s State Minister of Agriculture, Asad Abdirazak, emphasized the necessity of stronger regional collaboration to curb the breeding and spread of transboundary pests.
He highlighted the formation of the IGAD Inter-regional Platform for sustainable pest management and a Memorandum of Understanding between Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Somalia as crucial steps in this direction.
Ethiopia’s director of plant protection, Belayneh Nigussie, pointed out that the Horn of Africa shares similar agricultural practices and challenges in pest management.
He called for a coordinated response, efficient communication, and effective surveillance, monitoring, and control measures to combat these pests.
Over the past four days, technical teams have been developing a project proposal aimed at mitigating food insecurity through transboundary pest management.
The proposal includes components such as combined ground and aerial surveillance using vehicles, drones, and satellite-based tools, integrated pest management strategies, and improved pesticide management.
