Addis Ababa: The Desert Locust Control Organization for Eastern Africa (DLCO-EA) plays a pivotal role in mitigating the impact of migratory pests that threaten the region’s food security, according to Mwesigwa Moses Rwaheru. As a primary regional body dedicated to controlling pests like desert locusts, armyworms, Quelea birds, and tsetse flies, DLCO-EA is working to prevent the devastation these pests cause to crops in Eastern Africa.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, DLCO-EA, established in 1962, assists nine member countries-Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, and South Sudan-in combating pests that threaten food security. In an exclusive interview, Director of DLCO-EA, Mwesigwa Moses Rwaheru, emphasized the organization’s role in controlling and containing pests.
‘Our main goal is to support our member countries in the control and containment of migratory pests,’ Rwaheru explained. ‘With over six decades of experience, the organization has been pivotal in preventing pest-related crop damage.’ Rwaheru highlighted the importance of cross-border collaboration in pest control, noting that pests like locusts do not respect borders.
‘Early warning, surveillance, and rapid control play a key role in managing infestations before they escalate,’ he said. DLCO-EA operates under four main objectives: pest survey and control, applied research, forecasting and information sharing, and capacity building. He stressed the significance of early warning in pest management. ‘Early detection allows for quick action to save crops.’
The organization is also advancing pest control methods with bio-pesticides, which are especially effective against locust hoppers, he said. ‘These bio-pesticides have shown over 90% effectiveness,’ he added. ‘We’re patenting the product to address environmental concerns related to pesticide use.’
Despite successes, DLCO-EA faces challenges, mainly with funding and staff turnover. Some member countries are not meeting financial obligations, hindering its mandate, while turnover requires ongoing retraining of agricultural personnel. To modernize operations, the organization is exploring the use of drones for pest surveillance and control. ‘Drones are efficient, cost-effective, and require minimal resources,’ the director explained, adding that GIS technology will enhance the organization’s effectiveness.
DLCO-EA recently trained 200 agricultural staff in pest forecasting across six member countries, who then trained 1,200 community forecasters to tackle armyworm infestations, empowering local communities to respond effectively. Quelea birds have become a significant threat, particularly in irrigation areas. ‘Climate change has caused Quelea birds to stay year-round, resulting in an estimated 13 billion dollars in potential crop losses in Ethiopia over the last two years,’ Rwaheru noted.
DLCO-EA collaborates with agriculture ministries to monitor and control pests, offering expertise and aerial support when ground efforts fall short. The director urged member countries to meet financial obligations and international partners to support the mission’s effort against pest infestation.
Despite challenges, DLCO-EA’s impact is evident, having saved millions from potential losses and strengthened food security across the region. The organization remains committed to ensuring food security.