The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has issued a serious warning about the deteriorating situation of desert locust infestations in Sudan. The ongoing conflict and internal breeding of locusts along the Red Sea coast, especially in central and western regions, have hampered surveillance and control operations, leading to this critical situation.
Adam Yao, the FAO’s Deputy Representative in Sudan, highlighted at a press conference that the locust situation reached a threatening level in December, with rain in the winter breeding areas creating ideal conditions for locust reproduction and swarm formation. Yao warned that more swarms are expected to invade Sudan from neighboring countries early in 2024, posing a significant threat to crops and pastures, especially in the eastern states already facing severe food insecurity phases.
Despite efforts by Sudan’s Locust Control Administration, supported by the FAO, to survey and control about 23,000 hectares, the situation remains dire. Yao emphasized that substantial agricultural losses are inevitable unless sustainable control measures are taken, posing a serious threat to food security and livelihoods, particularly in rural areas. The upcoming period until the next planting season is crucial for implementing actions to curb the spread of desert locusts and protect the food production of the most vulnerable populations.
