The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has unveiled a sustainable framework designed to mitigate the impact of transboundary pests, which significantly threaten agricultural stability and economic well-being in the Horn of Africa. This initiative, in collaboration with the Desert Locust Control Organisation for Eastern Africa (DLCO-EA), aims to address the pressing issue of desert locust invasions, which have caused substantial agricultural losses and prolonged impacts on the region’s social and economic development, environmental health, and food security.
The Horn of Africa is particularly vulnerable to severe weather changes and transboundary pests. Desert locusts, quelea birds, and armyworms pose a severe threat to the region’s fragile food security and agricultural productivity. The locust invasion, in particular, has devastated crops, pastures, forests, and vegetation, leading to significant economic damage.
In presenting their five-year project on enhancing regional cooperation and combating transboundary pests, IGAD and DLCO-EA highlighted the disruptive effects of climate change on the migration patterns of these pests. Climate change alters the timing and routes of pest movements, challenging the efficacy of regional pest management strategies designed based on historical migration patterns. Additionally, changes in ecosystems and the availability of natural enemies upset the balance of predator-prey relationships, allowing pest populations to surge without effective natural checks.
During a press briefing in Nairobi, DLCO-EA Director Moses Mwesigwa emphasized the importance of improving the capacity of member states to address migratory pest upsurges and attacks through early warning preparedness. “I strongly believe that through member country commitment, development partner support, and the collaboration of the relevant food security promotion bodies, we will be able to build the regional capacity for controlling migratory pests,” said Mwesigwa.
The partners stressed the critical role of collaborative transboundary initiatives in enhancing food security within the IGAD region amidst shifting climatic conditions. The Joint Transboundary Pest Management Project for Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Somalia was highlighted as a crucial undertaking. This project promotes innovative pest control strategies by sharing resources, extension programs, training farmers, monitoring thresholds, and employing data analytical modeling to allocate resources and implement control measures. The use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) equipped with high-resolution cameras and satellites to monitor broader areas was also emphasized.
Somalia’s Minister for Agriculture, Asad Abdirizak, acknowledged the efforts and roles that IGAD and the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) play. He emphasized the need for stronger collaboration and coordination to limit the ability of transboundary pests to breed and spread in the region. “Desert locusts and other transboundary pests are a common threat that can only be controlled by adopting a common approach. That is the reason for the formation of the IGAD Inter-Regional Platform for Sustainable Management of Desert Locust and Other Transboundary Pests and the MoU between Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Somalia,” he stated.
The unpredictability introduced by climate change makes traditional pest forecasting models less reliable, complicating the ability of countries in the region to prepare for and respond effectively to emerging pest threats. Integrating climate-resilient strategies into regional pest management efforts is imperative to enhance the sustainability and effectiveness of initiatives like the Emergency Locust Response Programme (ELRP).
The success of this collaborative framework not only validates the significance of cooperation but also establishes a compelling case for shared knowledge and resource pooling among IGAD member states and relevant stakeholders. By promoting cooperation, the initiative lays the foundation for effective cross-border pest management, creating a platform that transcends national boundaries.
Ultimately, the ongoing success of these efforts hinges on adaptive approaches that consider evolving climate conditions and their profound influence on the behavior and prevalence of transboundary pests in the region.
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