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The FAO will assist Georgia fight locust outbreak
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will assist the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia (MEPA) to plan and deploy actions to tackle locust outbreaks in the country. Throughout 2020, similarly to a global occurrence, Georgia has witnessed a sharp increase of locust outbreak. The area of expansion of Italian and Moroccan locust pest has affected 72, 000 ha, while an aftermath of the locust outbreak did not exceed 20, 000 – 30, 000 ha in the previous years.
„The global climate conditions and an increased volume of pests bring new challenges to the agricultural sector and environment as a whole. We need to be resilient toward upcoming challenges. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), throughout the new project will complement strengthening institutional and technical capacity of the National Food Agency, ensure prompt deployment of preventive actions, protection agricultural crops and green cover from destruction and help to avoid negative impact on the economy“ - Minister of MEPA, Mr Levan Davitashvili stated.
With an expertise of more than 60 years, FAO promotes prevention, early warning and early action, provides technical assistance for strengthening national capacities on locust management.
“FAO plays a leading role in coordinating efforts to manage locust issues at global level. We will deliver our best expertise to Georgia to prevent losses of crops, livestock feeds, food and forest cover, caused by the locust outbreaks,`` said Raimund Jehle, FAO representative in Georgia.
FAO has joined forces to implement the project in Georgia – “Preparedness and Emergency Response to Locust Infestations in Georgia``, which aims to secure livelihoods, feed and food security of the populations living in locust infested areas in Georgia.
Comprehensive control measures and treatment to the targeted 40 000 - 50 000 ha land will be provided. The assistance will entail locust field surveys, ground treatment, monitoring missions on the impact of locust control, pesticide residue analysis of vegetation samples, purchase and distribute of the needed equipment and supplies. Meanwhile, informational guidelines will be drafted and the specialists will be trained, respectively.