Muscat – The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources has confirmed that the current desert locust situation in Oman remains stable and under close monitoring. A large-scale survey and control campaign is being conducted across various governorates to assess the locust population and its breeding conditions.

The campaign aims to evaluate the presence of desert locusts, their spread, and the environmental factors conducive to their reproduction, such as vegetation cover and soil moisture following recent rainfall.

Ongoing monitoring and early intervention

Dr Tarik bin Hamoud al Mandhari, Head of the Pest Control Department at the Ministry, stated that continuous field surveys and monitoring operations are being carried out to detect and address any developments at an early stage.

“Field surveys in Al Wusta, North and South Sharqiyah governorates, conducted between December 22 and January 20, recorded locust groups classified as ‘individual cases’ and ‘transitional cases.’ This prompted the Ministry to intervene early by deploying a specialised survey and control campaign,” he said.

Extensive survey and control operations

A total of 20 teams were deployed for the campaign, comprising 14 survey teams and six control teams, with 40 technical personnel participating. The teams covered 5,500 hectares of potential locust breeding sites, identifying and addressing locust-infested areas through targeted control measures.

Control operations focused on scattered sites in Al Wusta Governorate, covering an estimated area of 700 hectares. The Ministry continues to refine its strategies by incorporating modern technology, including artificial intelligence and drones, to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.

Dr Mandhari highlighted the Ministry’s collaboration with Al Anqa Company to integrate drone technology in survey and control operations, significantly improving response times and resource management.

Threat to food security

Desert locusts pose a major threat to food security, capable of causing severe economic damage. Their life cycle consists of three stages—egg, nymph, and adult—taking just three weeks to complete. An adult locust can live between 90 and 150 days.

A small swarm covering one square kilometre can consume as much food in a day as 35,000 people, as each locust eats its own body weight in food daily.

Strengthening Oman’s locust control capabilities

The Ministry is committed to enhancing Oman’s locust control capabilities by improving infrastructure, training human resources, and acquiring advanced equipment and specialised pesticides. These efforts aim to protect agricultural production and mitigate the risks posed by desert locust infestations.