Iran faces worst locust plague in 50 years, recent attacks unprecedented

Iran is under its worst desert locust outbreak in the past 50 years and for the second year in a row. Compared with last year, the swarms of desert locusts are much larger, and it is safe to claim that the recent attacks are unprecedented, officials said.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) situation update on May 27, 2020, adult locusts are forming groups and small swarms in spring breeding areas along parts of Sistan-Baluchistan and the southern coast area as vegetation is drying out. 

FAO noted that the infestations will continue moving east to the Indo-Pakistan summer breeding areas. With the worsening situation, Iran may deploy its military to help contain the invasion in the country's southern region.

The outbreak is adding to problems the nation is facing amid its battle against the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the economic turmoil following ending U.S. sanctions.

An official of the Iranian Agriculture Ministry said the military has offered to assist in combating locusts for the second year in a row.

"Compared with last year, the swarms of desert locusts are much larger, and it is safe to claim that the recent attacks are unprecedented," said the secretary of the Chabahar Agricultural Trade Union.

"The military has promised to help fight the desert locusts, including by providing all-terrain vehicles for use in areas which are hard to access," said Mohammad Reza Mir, a spokesman for the ministry's Plant Protection Organization.

"Last year the military provided personnel and vehicles, and that was a big help."

The provinces of Sistan-Baluchistan, Bushehr, Fars, Hormozgan, Kerman, and Khuzestan have been under the attacks. As of May 28, reports said around 260 000 ha (640 000 acres) have been treated so far.

FAO has delivered 25 vehicle-mounted Ultra Low Volume (ULV) sprayers worth about 125 000 dollars. An updated appeal by the organization also requests 17.5 million dollars to control 800 000 ha (2 million acres) of lands, so far funded with 1 million dollars.

Based on the agricultural calendar, there is a chance to scale up operations by the end of July to lessen harvest damage. This is also key to reduce locusts' migration to Pakistan and India.

Although FAO's appeal extends until the end of this year, prompt support is needed for both the immediate scale-up until the end of July and to preposition equipment for when locusts occur again in November.

Featured image credit: FAO Emergencies