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Sahel region

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The two most important locust species in the Sahel are the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria and the Senegalese grasshopper, Oedaleus senegalensis; a non-model locust.[1] While these are the primary locusts of concern, numerous other species, including the Moroccan locust, Dociostaurus maroccanus, as well as various grasshopper species, frequently experience population explosions and result in substantial crop devastation across the entire continent.[1]

Geographic units that intesect with Sahel region (1)


Check out the UNDP interactive website about the Sahel region

Desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria)

Desert locust outbreaks are considered a national emergency due to the severe economic and social consequences it brings.[2] Historical records indicate that certain invasion cycles have persisted for over two decades, leading to immense economic losses. Although efforts to control these invasions have improved over time, they still inflict substantial damage to crops, posing a significant threat to the long-term food security of local populations in the Sahel region. Moreover, their presence can greatly contribute to the risk of famines.[1] Additionally, they aggravate poverty and increase the vulnerability of households that are already living in very precarious conditions.[3] The Sahelian countries are home to several breeding zones where locust outbreaks can arise (including areas that are far from crop fields, in the desert areas of Mauritania, North of Mali, Niger, and Chad), which require constant monitoring.[4] For a preventive strategy to be successful, it must be continuously improved[5], because the costs of controlling an invasion that is not stopped early or properly monitored may total hundreds of millions of dollars.[2]

Senegalese grasshopper (Oedaleus senegalensis)

The most serious grasshopper pest affecting food crops in the African Sahel region is the Senegalese grasshopper. In years of high density, the abundance of grasshoppers can create an illusion of a locust swarm. This species consistently damages crops such as sorghum, maize, rice, and particularly millet, which is a crucial subsistence crop. Millet seedlings are particularly vulnerable to damage caused by nymphs, often leading farmers to repeatedly sow crops until they exhaust their seed supply.[6] The most significant devastation occurs during the milky-grain stage, primarily affecting the ears of cereals, as the Senegalese grasshoppers return after the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone's descent.[7]

Projects

Numerous research projects looking at how land-use practices influence the Senegalese grasshopper (Oedaleus senegalensis) have built on each other over the years, creating a wealth of knowledge on this system and opportunities for alternative management strategies. Learn more about research on the Senegalese grasshopper in West Africa

Bay Sa Waar Communities for Sustainable Agriculture group photo


Organizational relationships

For more than two decades, the national plant protection services of the Sahel countries have dedicated their efforts to controlling this particular species.[8] The "front line countries" of North and West Africa, namely Algeria, Libya, Mali, Morocco, Mauritania, Niger, and Chad, rely on their national units for desert locust control to fulfill a crucial role of surveying outbreak-prone zones, primarily in desert areas that are located far from cultivated zones. The national units are autonomous and were created by the FAO EMPRES, who started operating in West Africa in 2006. In order to provide support to these units, the member states mandated the establishment of the Commission de lutte contre le criquet pèlerin dans la région occidentale (Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in the Western Region (CLCPRO)). The primary objective of CLCPRO is to facilitate all necessary actions, research, and training required for effective prevention and control of desert locust outbreaks.

The 1987-88 desert locust outbreak shocked many regional and donor countries, leading to increased organizational involvement and research on desert locusts.[9] In 1989-90, field experiments were conducted in collaboration with the Malian Plant Protection Service and USAID, focusing on grasshoppers and locusts. These experiments involved the use of biological agents like Paranosema locustae and Beauveria bassiana.[10] This led to the launch of the collaborative project Lutte Biologique contre les Locustes et les Sauteriaux (LUBILOSA), which eventually resulted in the development of the mycopesticide known as Green Muscle®. [11]

The severe drought that occurred in the Sahel region from 1973 to 1974 resulted in extensive outbreaks of the Senegalese grasshopper and numerous other grasshopper species.[12][13] The improved situation regarding desert locusts during that period provided an opportunity to address the longstanding issue of pest grasshoppers. Numerous projects, partnerships, and organizations were initiated with the objective of enhancing response, prevention, organizational collaboration, and governance. [14] [15] Despite ongoing outbreaks of varying magnitudes across different countries and years, these challenges are now being addressed by national plant protection organizations (NPPOs) and have become one of their primary focuses. Similar to the desert locust, the Moroccan locust (Dociostaurus maroccanus) also caused outbreaks in North African countries, particularly during the 1970s and 1980s. Algeria, in particular, experienced significant damage caused by this locust species between 2001 and 2015.

In the Sahel, the AGRHYMET Regional Center (ARC) provides the agrometeorological information essential for better monitoring of locusts and grasshoppers. ARC was created out of the Permanent Inter-state Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS) as a regional development system focused on agriculture and natural resource management. ARC collaborates globally with many research organizations, including The French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), financial organizations, and national plant protection agencies, often providing funding, disseminating information, training, research, oversight, and monitoring.[4]

National and regional organizations involved in surveys and prevention and control of locusts and grasshoppers receive technical and financial support from various international partners. The World Food Programme (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) facilitate connections with banks, donor funds, and broker agreements to provide aid for locust control efforts, which may include insecticides, food assistance, and cash transfer programs. CIRAD, based in France, collaborates with CLCPRO, regional universities, and national anti-locust units to engage in joint research and information sharing. Moreover, NPPOs often collaborate with universities to exchange research and data, with transnational organizations for resources and funding, and with foreign governments for assistance in surveys, and provision of control teams, aircraft, vehicles, fuel, pesticides, and other equipment. [4]

Regional management strengths and challenges

Strengths

West Africa has a rich history of scientific and technical achievements in the field of desert locust and Senegalese grasshopper control. [4] These advancements are further bolstered by international collaboration, particularly with organizations such as the FAO EMPRES program. Moreover, the establishment of independent national anti-locust units dedicated to desert locust control, equipped with their own budget, marks a significant stride forward, despite the presence of weaknesses in some countries.[4] Both regional and national locust contingency plans have been put in place, and assessments of the economic and social impact of desert locust infestations have underscored the importance of preventive control strategies. The implementation of new financing systems, tailored to the specific needs of each phase of desert locust population dynamics, adds strength and diversity to the overall approach.[16]

Significant strides have been made in the West Africa region to firmly establish the principles of locust preventive control strategy, drawing from the lessons learned during the desert locust upsurge of 2003-2005 and its subsequent consequences. [4] CLCPRO plays a crucial role in ensuring that all member countries remain actively involved in implementing preventive control strategies. In order to sustain the readiness of member countries to handle emergencies, CLCPRO offers capacity-building, institutional, and financial support.

Challenges

It is crucial to persuade international and national donors to provide prompt and increased support for both crisis response and long-term management of acridids. [4] To avoid delays in releasing funds and ensure swift responsiveness from funders during alerts, it is necessary to streamline administrative processes. Sustaining the skills and mobilization of survey teams is also essential, especially during extended periods of calm as control measures become more effective. Emergency planning is challenging due to variations in technical and legal systems across countries. The presence of redundant missions and mandates among organizations can hinder or compete for significant and consistent funding. [4] Political insecurity in countries at the forefront of desert locust control, such as Mali, Niger, and Chad, adds further complexities.[17] Additionally, while significant attention and funding are directed towards desert locust management, developing an efficient and sustainable strategy for O. senegalensis and other grasshopper species remains a pending task, although new long-term approaches are emerging.[4]

Highlighted species from Sahel region

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Lecoq M, Zhang L (Sc. Ed.) (2019) Encyclopedia of Pest Orthoptera of the World. China Agricultural University Press, Beijing. 311 pp. ISBN: 978-7-5655-2232-1
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lecoq M (2003) Desert locust threat to agricultural development and food security and FAO/international role in its control. Arab Journal of Plant Protection 21: 188–193. http://agritrop.cirad.fr/518863/1/document_518863.pdf
  3. ↑ De Vreyer P, Guilbert N, Mesple-Somps S (2015) Impact of natural disasters on education outcomes: evidence from the 1987–89 locust plague in Mali. Journal of African Economies 24: 57–100. https://doi.org/10.1093/jae/eju018
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 Ries MW, Adriaansen C, Aldobai S, Berry K, Bal AB, Catenaccio MC, Cigliano MM, Cullen DA, Deveson T, Diongue A, Foquet B, Hadrich J, Hunter D, Johnson DL, Pablo Karnatz J, Lange CE, Lawton D, Lazar M, Latchininsky AV, Lecoq M, Le Gall M, Lockwood J, Manneh B, Overson R, Peterson BF, Piou C, Poot-Pech MA, Robinson BE, Rogers SM, Song H, Springate S, Therville C, Trumper E, Waters C, Woller DA, Youngblood JP, Zhang L, Cease A (2024) Global perspectives and transdisciplinary opportunities for locust and grasshopper pest management and research. Journal of Orthoptera Research 33(2): 169–216. doi:10.3897/jor.33.112803.
  5. ↑ Sword GA, Lecoq M, Simpson SJ (2010) Phase polyphenism and preventative locust management. Journal of Insect Physiology 56: 949–957. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinsphys.2010.05.005
  6. ↑ Kooyman C, Lecoq M (2019) Senegalese grasshopper Oedaleus senegalensis (Krauss, 1877) (Acrididae). In: Lecoq M., Zhang L. Sc. Ed. Encyclopedia of Pest Orthoptera of the World, China Agricultural University Press, Beijing, 170–175 pp.
  7. ↑ Le Gall M, Beye A, Diallo M, Cease AJ (2022) Generational variation in nutrient regulation for an outbreaking herbivore. Oikos n/a: e09096. https://doi.org/10.1111/oik.09096
  8. ↑ Maiga IH, Lecoq M, Kooyman C (2008) Ecology and management of the Senegalese grasshopper Oedaleus senegalensis (Krauss 1877) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) in West Africa: review and prospects. Annales de la Société entomologique de France 44: 271–288. https://doi.org/10.1080/00379271.2008.10697563
  9. ↑ Lecoq M (2001) Recent progress in desert and migratory locust management in Africa. Are preventative actions possible? Journal of Orthoptera Research 10: 277–291. https://doi.org/10.1665/1082-6467(2001)010[0277:RPIDAM]2.0.CO;2
  10. ↑ Johnson DL, Goettel MS, Bradley C, Bradley, van der Paauw H, Maiga B (1992) Field tests of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana against grasshoppers in Mali, West Africa, July, 1990. In:C. Lomer & C. Prior (eds). Biological Control of Locusts and Grasshoppers, CAB International, Wallingford, UK, pp. 296–310.
  11. ↑ Lomer C, Langewald J (2001) What is the place of biological control in acridid integrated pest management? Journal of Orthoptera Research 10: 335–341. https://doi.org/10.1665/1082-6467(2001)010[0335:WITPOB]2.0.CO;2
  12. ↑ Lecoq M (1978a) Le problème sauteriaux en Afrique soudano-sahélienne. Agronomia Tropical 33: 241–258.
  13. ↑ Lecoq M (1978b) Biologie et dynamique d'un peuplement acridien de zone soudanienne en Afrique de l'Ouest (Orthoptera, Acrididae). Annales de la Société entomologique de France (N.S.), 14: 603–681.
  14. ↑ Capinera JL (2008) Encyclopedia of Entomology. 2nd Ed., Springer Science & Business Media, Heidelberg. 2061 pp.
  15. ↑ Traore SB, Ali A, Tinni SH, Samake M, Garba I, Maigari I, Alhassane A, Samba A, Diao MB, Atta S, Dieye PO, Nacro HB, Bouafou KGM (2014) AGRHYMET: A drought monitoring and capacity building center in the West Africa Region. Weather and Climate Extremes 3: 22–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wace.2014.03.008
  16. ↑ Deshormes A (2011) Institutional study to enhance the roles and responsibilities of the Desert Locust Control Commissions established under Article XIV. Financial Government Final Report, Food Agriculture Organization UN, Rome, Italy. http://www.fao.org/ag/locusts/common/ecg/2148/en/Financial_Governance_Report_E.pdf
  17. ↑ Showler AT, Lecoq M (2021) Incidence and ramifications of armed conflict in countries with major desert locust breeding areas. Agronomy 11: 114. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11010114
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