Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Combating the desert locust crisis in Afghanistan: safeguarding food security, humanitarian stability, and health impacts

2023; Wolters Kluwer; Volume: 6; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1097/gh9.0000000000000331

2576-3342

Hamid Ullah, Khulud Qamar, Abdullah Jan Shinwari, Abdullah Malikzai,

Insect and Pesticide Research

Introduction The desert locust is regarded as the most destructive migratory pest worldwide. According to the United Nations, an average swarm of up to 40 million insects may cover 150 km in a day and consume enough food to feed 34 million people in that period. Adults deposit eggs, before they hatch, can produce a generation up to 20 times larger than the one before it, and can survive for up to 3 months1. Around 100 countries are threatened by massive locust outbreaks, with Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya being the worst affected. These epidemics pose a threat to the environment and agricultural output. For the years 1912 through 1989, there have been 6 significant locust outbreaks that have all been linked to prolonged droughts, mild winters, and the occurrence of substantial spring and summer precipitation. The most severe outbreaks were in East Africa, India, and Pakistan2. Afghanistan has been badly hit by a disastrous locust outbreak, which threatens one-quarter of the country’s annual harvest. According to Richard Trenchard, the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization national representative, the large-scale breakout of Moroccan locusts will most likely be “devastating” in 8 key agricultural provinces, primarily in the North and Northeast. The locust breakout further aggravated the worst economic catastrophe in the country’s history3. The use of widely used pesticides in locust control, as well as the consumption of sprayed locusts shortly after spraying, has an adverse effect on the health of humans and has implications for the sustainability of ecosystem services and biodiversity4. The desert locust crisis According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, the past 2 epidemics (20 y and 40 y ago) cost Afghanistan 8% and 25% of its annual wheat crop. A Moroccan locust outbreak this year alone might result in crop losses ranging from 700,000 to 1.2 million metric tons of wheat, accounting for up to a quarter of the annual harvest. If the Moroccan locust population is not managed, it might double by 100-fold next year, posing even more challenges for farming and food security in Afghanistan and its neighbors5. The desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria) is one of 18–20 grasshopper species, with about 10 subspecies found in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia, with the ability to swarm across long distances (10 h/d, up to 150 km), and is one of the oldest, largest, and most destructive migratory pests causing agricultural damage2. The desert locust has a 3–6 month life cycle and a mature female locust can lay roughly 100 eggs every day. The larvae grow quickly and mature in around 20 days, becoming the initiator of the following batch of insect pests (Fig. 1).Figure 1: The life cycle of locusts. Modified from2. Adaptations are themselves works protected by copyright. So in order to publish this adaptation, authorization must be obtained both from the owner of the copyright in the original work and from the owner of copyright in the translation or adaptation.Addressing the crisis In recent history, Afghanistan had 2 brushes with the Moroccan locust: one in 1981, when an outbreak took off over a quarter of the national harvest, and another in 2003, when it claimed a more modest 8% due to an improved locust-control effort. The Moroccan locust is one of the most economically devastating plant pests in the world, consuming around 150 distinct plant species, 50 of which are food crops and all of which are grown in Afghanistan. Locust sightings at various stages of development have been reported in Badakhshan, Badghis, Baghlan, Balkh, Kunduz, Samangan, Sar-e-Pul, and Takhar provinces, with new reports coming in from the Heart and Ghor regions3. Figure 2 illustrates the 6 big desert locust outbreaks recorded between 1912 and 1989, all of which were strongly linked to dry and warm weather during that period2.Figure 2: Annual locust outbreaks in the world for the past 150 years. Modified from2. Adaptations are themselves works protected by copyright. So in order to publish this adaptation, authorization must be obtained both from the owner of the copyright in the original work and from the owner of copyright in the translation or adaptation.Socioeconomic and humanitarian consequences The livelihoods of Afghanistan’s population have been severely compromised due to the infestation of desert locusts, resulting in detrimental health problems for the people residing. The locusts are infected with microbial pathogens that can lead to the outbreak of various diseases. The pesticides used can cause major illnesses presenting with respiratory and neurological symptoms if inhaled. This is further associated with fetal deaths, birth defects, and cancers. In addition, these locusts severely disrupt the crops grown in Afghanistan, the food shortage will lead to starvation, malnutrition, and growth retardation. The desert locust is currently responsible for the loss of agricultural productivity and widespread crop destruction. According to available statistics, the regions of Badakhshan, Badghis, Baghlan, Balkh, Kunduz, Samangan, Sar-e-Pul, and Takhar have recently experienced an estimated decrease of 1.2 million metric tons of wheat, accounting for ~25% of the total annual harvest6. This loss has not only impacted the income and livelihoods of farmers but has also disrupted the food supply chain, reducing food availability for both rural and urban populations. Given Afghanistan’s heavy reliance on domestic food production to meet its population’s dietary needs, the consequences of crop destruction are particularly severe, with the risk of famine looming over the country. Considering that agriculture serves as one of the most profitable sectors in Afghanistan, the instability caused by the locust infestation will lead to substantial economic losses. The devastating impact of the desert locust infestation extends beyond economic losses. Endemic areas affected by the locust invasion are seeing mass migration and displacement of communities. This humanitarian crisis has far-reaching implications, including increased health risks and the potential for disease outbreaks. Displaced populations often face inadequate access to health care, sanitation facilities, and clean water, exacerbating the vulnerability of already marginalized communities. Lessons from past experiences and best practices To address the escalating challenges, international and national authorities must respond promptly and supply adequate support in Afghanistan. Organizations like the World Bank Group have provided regions of Africa with a financing package totaling USD 160 million. Efforts to combat locusts are also receiving funding in Yemen ($25 million), Pakistan ($200 million), and Somalia ($40 million)7. Similarly in Afghanistan, immediate interventions should include the allocation of financial resources and the implementation of targeted programs to combat the locust outbreak, ensure food security, and support affected communities. Furthermore, long-term investments in agricultural research, early warning systems, and preventive measures are necessary to predict and mitigate the impacts of future locust infestations. There are encouraging examples of other countries effectively managing locust control. In Caucasus and Central Asia, West/Northwest Africa (the Western Region), and the Horn of Africa (the Central Region), success can be attributed to community involvement, early warning systems, and national monitoring systems8. India has an integrated pest management strategy, focusing on biological control techniques and resistant crop varieties9. The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority’s use of aerial spraying of 85,948 donums in infected regions and partnerships for resources highlights the value of global cooperation10. Afghanistan should establish a similar system that combines community-based surveillance and early warning mechanisms. Conclusion and call to action In conclusion, immediate and coordinated action is crucial to address the desert locust infestation in Afghanistan through global solidarity and coordinated efforts. Adequate funding and implementation of programs aimed at eradicating the crisis are essential. Moreover, investing in research, early warning systems, and preventive measures will help predict and prevent future locust outbreaks. By adopting initiative-taking approaches and taking preventive measures and preparedness, Afghanistan can mitigate the impact of locust infestations, safeguard its agricultural sector, and ensure food security for its population. Ethical approval Ethics approval was not required for this short communication article. Sources of funding Not applicable. Author contributions H.U.: wrote the introduction and edited the revised draft. K.Q.: wrote socioeconomic and humanitarian consequences, lessons from past experiences and best practices, and conclusion and call to action. A.S. and A.M.: made the critical comments and revision. Conflict of interest disclosures The authors declare that they have no financial conflict of interest with regard to the content of this report. Research registration unique identifying number (UIN) Not applicable. Guarantor Abdullah Malikzai.