A monitoring system for preventive control of Desert Locust in West Africa

Agricultural pests like the Desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria (Forskål 1775), often migrate across borders and cause major losses and emergencies. In the past, such damage often led to famines and sometimes triggered trade restrictions. An international preventive strategy is currently recommended in each country on early warning and reaction capacities. As a result, the extent and frequency of invasions were considerably reduced during the last 50 years. However, countries are frequently unable to react sufficiently quickly to nip outbreaks in the bud, and late extensive emergency operations, with large use of pesticides as well as international assistance, became necessary. The Emergency Prevention System for Transboundary Animal and Plant Pests and Diseases (EMPRES, Desert Locust component) was established by FAO in order to minimize the risk of such emergencies. In Western and Northern Africa, EMPRES was implemented in 2006 to develop a more effective early survey and a better preventive management of Desert locust populations in their reproduction areas. Enhancing national capacities and building a common system for monitoring each national preventive control was considered as a priority. Such a tool was developed by French CIRAD in 2009 and is a main component of the "National Locust Risk Management Plans". This software, using a simple web interface, is built around a database. All data from 10 West African national Locust control units, about infrastructures, materials, human resources and financial means, were collected and organized in the database. The frequency of the updates is connected to the nature of information, from 3 to 12 months and performed at the country level. Real-time consultations, codifications and outputs are made easily by the internet. This system allows a real-time collection/dissemination of information and a better organization of preventive control at the regional level, key points to improve management of Desert locust risk.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Bonnal, Vincent, Lagnaoui, Saïd, Dolley, Thomas, Tonneau, Jean-Philippe, Lecoq, Michel, Vassal, Jean-Michel
Format:	conference_item biblioteca
Language:	eng
Published:	s.n.
Subjects:	C30 - Documentation et information, H10 - Ravageurs des plantes,
Online Access:	http://agritrop.cirad.fr/558099/ http://agritrop.cirad.fr/558099/1/document_558099.pdf
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