Combatting desert locusts in India: FAO strengthens monitoring and forecasting capacities

In the vast arid regions of India, under the scorching sun, a dedicated field team of desert locust survey officers, accompanied by FAO’s Locust Forecasting Officer, set out to survey the desert locust incidence across Jodhpur, Bikaner, and Jaisalmer districts. These areas are particularly vulnerable to locust swarms, which can travel about 150 kilometers in a day devastating crops in their wake.

During this monsoon season, desert locusts did not develop a lot in India and Pakistan. However, during these recession times, it is important to continue surveillance to avoid being caught off guard when swarms do appear and to keep human resources well prepared. India has faced locust incursions in both scheduled and non-scheduled desert areas in the years 1993, 1997, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2023.

Over seven days, the team traversed a total of 2 570 kilometers, inspecting 30 different survey points. Some areas showed no locust activity while in others isolated immature solitarious adults were spotted.

The fieldwork was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage, and the Regional Locust cum Integrated Pest Management Center (RLCIPMC) of India.

″The desert locust joint survey with FAO experts introduced many new tools, such as the PlantNet application, which helps in identifying desert weeds. This is useful for pinpointing hotspots in locust-prone areas. By exchanging information, utilizing all available resources and equipment, and applying effective management techniques and practices, we were able to successfully control the locust outbreak,″ said Virendra Kumar, Head of the RLCIPMC in Jodhpur.

Empowering a new generation of locust management experts

Before the fieldwork began, desert locust information officers (DLIOs) and survey officers were trained in the basic use of advanced tools such as the RAMSES v4.1 application for data manipulation and analysis, as well as remote sensing imagery of rainfall estimates. The integration of these technologies enhances the ability to track locust movements efficiently and predict their patterns, even before they reach critical thresholds.

″It was essential to train the officers in these tools since many are relatively new to their roles,″ said Cyril Piou, FAO Locust Forecasting Officer, adding that ″More training and experience will optimize their efficiency. FAO is committed to supporting them further in areas such as analyzing locust situations, managing geospatial data, and integrating data into GIS.″ The skills will also enable them to produce forecasts and regular national desert locust bulletins.  

The training also included field-based guidance on survey methods and the choice of survey stops. The officers were introduced to the FAO’s standard operation procedures (SOPs) for ground survey, which detail best practices for conducting surveys in locust breeding areas. For instance, the recommended length of the survey transects across habitats should be around 400 meters.

To continue building the capacities, two locust officers will undergo one-month intensive training at the Desert Locust Information Service (DLIS) headquarters in Rome. This experience will expose India’s locust experts to global best practices and the latest developments in locust management.

Enhancing survey efficiency

The survey results confirmed that, during recession periods, the breeding grounds of desert locusts are primarily located along the border areas of India, where irrigation is not used. As a result, the team recommended increasing the frequency and intensity of surveys in these regions.

To improve outcomes, the team advised maintaining a 5-kilometer distance between survey points during cross-country expeditions. This approach would enable officers to more frequently reach breeding grounds and gain a clearer understanding of locust breeding patterns during the monsoon season.

To leverage existing capacities, joint surveys involving both experienced and newer locust officers were also suggested to ensure knowledge transfer and make effective use of available expertise and resources.