Assahafa.com
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s latest locust monitoring bulletin reports that they have found solitary desert locusts observed throughout March across Morocco’s Draa and Ziz-Ghris valleys, stretching from Assa to Erfoud.
Some locusts were caught in the act of mating, confirming that breeding activity has begun in these regions, according to the report.
FAO surveillance recorded isolated fifth-stage larvae south of Tata on March 21, while groups of mature transiens adults have been appearing between eastern Assa and southwestern Zagora since March 23.
Earlier in March, scattered first and second-stage larvae were detected south of Foum El Hisn, along with a small group of first-stage larvae.
Moroccan authorities have responded to this developing situation with anti-locust control operations covering 2,249 hectares, with aerial spraying accounting for 2,000 hectares of the treated area.
Looking ahead, the FAO predicts that solitary adult locusts will remain present south of the Atlas Mountains, where localized spring breeding will continue, causing larval populations to grow.
The organization warns that more adult groups could arrive from southern regions and breed along the Draa and Ziz-Ghris valleys, where environmental conditions favor the development of a spring generation.
The report predicts that by mid-April, larval groups may emerge in areas where group breeding is occurring.
Since first detecting locust groups, Morocco has implemented both preventative and responsive control measures to manage the situation before it develops into a larger infestation that could threaten agricultural production in the country.
The National Center for Locust Control in Morocco has reportedly prepared and mobilized the required logistics to follow up on the situation in the affected areas, particularly those near the Algerian border, such as Tata and the southeastern provinces.
Meanwhile, Morocco’s Interior Ministry announced on March 29 the country’s increased preparedness levels amid growing concerns about locust movements from the African Sahel and Northwest Africa.
Source: Morocco word news
