Desert Locust Information Officers: FAO strengthen capacities of Iran and Pakistan, introduces innovation

Desert Locust Information Officers (DLIO) play a crucial role in locust management in locust-affected and invasion countries. They are responsible for gathering field data, analyzing it, and producing monthly bulletins that summarize the locust situation and provide forecasts to support decision-making and response efforts.

As Iran and Pakistan prepare for the upcoming spring locust breeding season, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is strengthening the capacities of DLIOs in both countries.

A week-long training workshop was conducted at the FAO’s Desert Locust Information Service (DLIS) headquarters in Rome. During this training, DLIOs learned how to process and analyze survey and control data, as well as how to interpret rainfall and satellite imagery, including vegetation and soil moisture data. They also covered preparing updates, monthly desert locust bulletins, and locust forecasting.

Keith Cressman, FAO Senior Locust Forecaster, emphasized the importance of annual refresher training to ensure that locust information officers retain their knowledge and skills. He highlighted that these sessions help keep officers updated with the latest advancements in locust control and management technologies. Moreover, the training helps new officers joining national locust teams to develop the necessary skills.

Integrating latest innovation into national locust control

The team was introduced to new tools and applications developed by FAO to assist countries in locust surveying and data collection. One such innovation is the eLocust3K tool and the KoboToolBox website, which are used for visualizing field data. They also received refreshing of the RAMSESv4.1 geographic information system and learned about the Pl@ntNet app.

In Iran, desert locust infestations are typically found along the southeastern coastal and interior regions of the country during the spring season. 

Ali Babalifashki, DLIO from Iran, noted that the training was timely as the country needed to update its desert locust information in conducting surveys and management. Iran has around 10 provinces where locust breeding occurs. Babalifashki added, "Our teams in the field, particularly in southern Iran, will use the knowledge gained in this training, along with updated survey apps like RAMSES, eLocust3K, and the maps we’ve learned to work with."

Pakistan is a crucial front-line country for desert locust due to its two distinct seasons. Spring occurs in Baluchistan province, while summer breeding is found along the Indian border in the deserts of Tharparkar, Khipro and Cholistan of Sindh and southern Punjab provinces.

Shahbaz, a DLIO from Pakistan, shared that the training improved his ability to analyze field data and transmit it to the FAO DLIS center using the new apps and tools. He added, "I will train 150 field staff, focusing on team leaders."

Continuous training to boost efficiency

Cyril Piou, FAO Locust Forecasting Officer, introduced the participants to the use of eLocust3K and the KoboToolBox software to visualize the collected data. The participants could train in collecting data with this new app and import their data into the national RAMSESv4.1 geographical information system.

Osama Rabie Moustafa, FAO Locust Management Officer, delivered a session on the use of digital maps to improve locust ground survey planning to support field teams in covering very large areas and improving locust breeding detection.

This regional training was conducted under the framework of the Commission for Control the Desert Locust in South-West Asia (SWAC), which is FAO's oldest regional locust commission. It has four member countries: Afghanistan, India, Iran and Pakistan. Since 2008, DLIS has been conducting regional workshops for the DLIOs in collaboration with locust-affected countries.

About DLIS

FAO’s Desert Locust Information Service (DLIS) is the focal point for all locust and locust-related information that is necessary to operate an early warning system. Since 1978, DLIS closely monitors the global desert locust situation continuously and provides forecasts, early warnings, and alerts on the timing, scale and location of invasions and breeding throughout Africa and Asia.

A team of trainers and DLIO trainees at the Swiss Centre. ©FAO/AlDobai