FAO Locust Watch Locusts in Caucasus and Central Asia
| FAO Locust Watch Locusts in Caucasus and Central Asia | |
|---|---|
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| Acronym: | CCA |
| Website: | View URL |
| Geography | |
| Headquarter country: | Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia (country), Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan |
| Geographic purview: | Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia (country), Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Russian Federation, Kyrgyzstan |
| Species purview: | Italian locust (Calliptamus italicus), Moroccan locust (Dociostaurus maroccanus), Migratory locust (Locusta migratoria) |
| Categories | |
| Type: | Intergovernmental Organization |
| Focus: | Education, Information Hub, Governance |
| Keywords: | Training, Regional cooperation, Monitoring, Control, Policy, Forecasting |
The FAO Locust Watch is a monitoring and information system managed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. It focuses on monitoring and managing locust outbreaks worldwide. One of the key regions under its watch is the Caucasus and Central Asia region, where locust infestations can pose a significant threat to agriculture and food security.
The FAO Locust Watch Locusts in Caucasus and Central Asia (CCA) programme was implemented by the FAO in 2011 with joint funding from the Japan International Cooperation Agency, Turkey (under the FAO-Turkey Partnership Programme, United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance, as well as FAO resources (Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) and Regular Programme).
The programme is integrated into the FAO's Emergency Prevention System for Transboundary Animal and Plant Pests and Diseases (EMPRES) and is guided by the core principles of a locust preventive control strategy.
Its overall objective is to “reduce occurrence and intensity of locust outbreaks in CCA, thus limiting threat or damage to crops and rangelands and safeguarding rural population food security and livelihoods, as well as minimizing impact of chemical control operations on human health and the environment. The immediate objectives are to develop regional cooperation and strengthen national capacities.”
The FAO CCA has issued regional monthly bulletins since 2010 and maintains the Locust Watch in Caucasus and Central Asia CCA website.
The FAO CCA, in partnership with national governments, conducts regular surveys to monitor locust populations and predict outbreaks. Control measures include preventive insecticide spraying, limited biological methods, and mechanical techniques. The region's challenging terrain and climate, along with the need for cross-border cooperation, complicate these efforts. The FAO CCA plays a crucial role by offering technical support, conducting capacity-building programs, and providing timely updates and alerts on locust activity.
The Caucasus and Central Asia region is primarily impacted by three locust species: the Italian locust (Calliptamus italicus), which is the most widespread; the Moroccan locust (Dociostaurus maroccanus), predominantly found in the southern parts of the region; and the migratory locust (Locusta migratoria), which, though less common, can cause significant damage when it appears. This region includes Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
Twenty-five million hectares of cultivated land are at risk, endangering the livelihoods of at least 20 million people, particularly the most vulnerable rural communities. Locust outbreaks in this region can devastate crops such as wheat, barley, and other grains, which are staple foods for the local populations.
Locusts have a vast distribution area, with key breeding grounds specific to each species. In the Caucasus and Central Asia, locust habitats span across political borders, which can lead to cross-border tensions. For example, Italian and Moroccan locusts breed along the borders of Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia, while Moroccan locust outbreaks often start near the borders of Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Migratory locust habitats are found near Kazakhstan's borders with neighboring countries, including Uzbekistan and Russia. Because this poses a challenge for regional cooperation, the FAO CCA and its Programme to improve national and regional locust management in Caucasus and Central Asia covers all ten countries.
Related organizations
The following organizations represented on HopperWiki are associated with this organization:
- Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in the Central Region
- Desert Locust Control Organization for Eastern Africa
- FAO Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in Northwest Africa
- FAO Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in South-West Asia
- FAO Desert Locust Control Committee
- FAO Desert Locust Information Service
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Available resources authored by this organization
References
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) (n.d.) Home. Retrieved August 19, 2024, from http://www.fao.org/locusts-cca/en/
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