East Africa locust control will require coordination

Subject

Management of the locust plague affecting East Africa.

Significance

The worst desert locust infestation in decades currently threatens crops across several countries of East Africa, severely stretching regional response capacities. Prevention systems have failed and an international emergency response has been slow to mobilise. Without urgent international cooperative action at all levels, the situation could yet deteriorate further. Moreover, without serious efforts to strengthen preventive management systems, similar crises may recur.

Impacts

• Unresponsive governments will face criticism for their lack of anticipation and action, though some simply lack the capacity.
• The long-term impacts will be particularly severe for smallholder farmers, accelerating the rural exodus and deepening urban poverty.
• Export-oriented agricultural production may suffer, including through losses of agreements due to large-scale pesticide use.