BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan.2
By Tamilla Mammadova – Trend:
New Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO's) initiative in Georgia will support the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture to tackle increasing locust outbreaks in the country, Trend reports via the FAO.
One-year project entitled "Preparedness and Emergency Response to Locust Infestations in Georgia" aims to secure livelihoods, feed and food security of the populations living in locust infested areas in Georgia.
Meanwhile, 2020 witnessed a sharp increase in the number of locust outbreaks and the infested areas. The expansion of Italian and Moroccan locust pests was the biggest in the last three decades.
To address the above problems and get ready for conducting the effective prevention, detection and treatment procedures for the upcoming season, FAO will provide complex emergency support:
- Comprehensive control measures and treatment to the targeted 40,000 - 50,000 ha land will be provided. This will include 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;
- Number of courses and trainings in locust management will be conducted for the respective personnel;
- Number of practical guidelines will be produced and distributed to relevant offices.
"FAO’s new project will contribute to strengthening institutional and technical capacity of the National Food Agency to prepare for future threats and protect the environment and agricultural production from devastating locust invasions. This will help to avoid negative impact on the economy,“ said Levan Davitashvili, the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia.
Benefiting from unique expertise and experience of more than 60 years, FAO promotes prevention, early warning and early action, provides technical assistance for strengthening national capacities on locust management and facilitates through regional and international cooperation.
In the region specifically, FAO has been implementing a multi-funded and interregional “Program to improve national and regional locust management in Caucasus and Central Asia (CCA)” since October 2011 to the benefit of ten countries, including Georgia.
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