Tackling desert locust challenges with digital innovation: Launch of Locust Pesticide Management System in North Africa, East Africa and the Middle East

The Locust Pesticide Management System (LPMS) developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is an advanced digital tool designed to support countries to better manage and monitor pesticide stocks and equipment used for locust control to enhance preparedness.  

The new system has undergone field trials in different conditions in North Africa, Eastern Africa and the Middle East.  

Shortly after the regional workshop to evaluate the effectiveness of LPMS, Shoki Al-Dobai, FAO’s Team Leader for Locusts and other Transboundary Plant Pests and Diseases,  provides the update on the journey so far.  

• For starters, what is the Locust Pesticide Management System (LPMS)? What inspired its development?

The Locust Pesticide Management System (LPMS) is a knowledge management-based solution developed to address the need to mitigate the risks associated with pesticides.  

The 2019-2021 desert locust upsurge in East Africa revealed the severe impact that locusts can have on crops, food security, and livelihoods, driving FAO to develop a more systematic approach to managing resources involved in locust survey and control.  

The system was developed through a collaboration between FAO’s teams – Locusts and other Transboundary Plant Pests and Diseases, Regional Commissions for Controlling the Desert Locust, and the Digitalization and Informatics Division (CSI).  

• What are the main features of the LPMS, and how does it improve the management of pesticides?

LPMS offers real-time tracking of pesticide stocks and equipment. It supports countries in complying with international pesticide management standards, promoting safer and more sustainable pest control practices. Additionally, it promotes collaboration and coordination among various national and regional teams involved in locust management. 

• LPMS has undergone field trials in different regions. What has been the progress so far?

Since its launch in 2021, this digital tool has been undergoing operational trials in countries such as Morocco, Djibouti, Yemen, Ethiopia, Kenya and Georgia, to ensure the system's adaptability to different conditions. 

The output of these trials has formed the basis of improvement; for example, environmental, health, and safety (EHS) has been included in the updated version. 

The regional workshop in Oman, evaluated successes and challenges encountered during its implementation in the pilot countries. The progress made so far has been encouraging. 

In Ethiopia, for example, the team have entered desert locust control products in the system, generated QR codes and printed the labels. In Yemen, the locust team arranged products in the pesticide store. Further, the locust team has cleaned, rinsed and crushed empty drums as part of the measures to ensure safety of human health and environment.  

The workshop also was an opportunity to introduce the system to other countries of the Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in the Central Region (CRC) and non-CRC members. 

• What is the future of LPMS in locust management?

Digital solutions will be the future of locust management because they create more efficient, sustainable, and safer methods of controlling outbreaks.  

LPMS has also symbolized the power of collaboration and innovation in addressing the age-old problem of locusts. 

The ultimate goal is to have LPMS adopted not just in the CRC region, but in other regions facing similar locust challenges. The innovative system is transforming the way countries manage locust outbreaks. 

• How will FAO continue to support the countries in the fight against locusts?

FAO is committed to the fight against locusts. The Organization will continue to train national locust teams in the use of the LPMS and conduct further improvements on the system whenever necessary.  

We thank our resource partner USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) for the financial support through the implementation of the project ″Desert Locust risk reduction in the Central Region and Horn of Africa″.  

Through the project, training will be conducted focusing on how to use the system in pesticide stores and equipment warehouses and provide guidance on formulating national action plans for full implementation of the new tool.