Muscat – Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources opened a regional workshop on the Desert Locust Pesticide Management System on Sunday, attended by representatives of 11 Arab and Horn of Africa countries.

The five-day workshop, inaugurated by H E Dr Ahmed bin Nasser al Bakri, Undersecretary for Agriculture in Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, aims to improve the use of the Desert Locust Pesticide Management System and bolster early response to locust outbreaks while mitigating risks to human health and the environment.

Mamoon Aisarai al Alawi, Executive Secretary of Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in the Central Region, emphasised the fact that the system is a digital tool designed to collect, analyse and report field data. It aims to create a comprehensive database to assist countries in managing pesticide stocks and equipment used in locust surveys.

The system facilitates national locust control centres in recording essential information about pesticide warehouses, conducting risk analyses, listing usable products and equipment, and monitoring pesticide and equipment movements between warehouses. By using QR codes, the system helps prevent the accumulation of old stocks and ensures efficient pesticide distribution.

According to Alawi, the workshop goals include raising awareness on the dangers of desert locusts and the importance of managing chemical pesticides safely and effectively. It is focused on several key aspects – necessary equipment and materials for warehouses, organising pesticide storage, monitoring warehouse conditions, and adhering to national requirements for implementing these procedures.