MUSCAT : According to the Ministry, vigilant monitoring and early intervention have been instrumental in keeping locust groups in check.

Dr. Tariq bin Hamoud Al-Mandhari, Head of the Pest Control Department at the Ministry, revealed that field surveys and exploration operations are regularly conducted in local breeding sites to detect any emerging threats. Between December 22 and January 20, survey teams identified small groups of desert locusts in Al Wusta, North Al Sharqiyah, and South Al Sharqiyah Governorates. Technically classified as “individual” and “transitional” cases, these groups prompted the Ministry to take swift action by forming a specialized campaign to control and contain the insects.

As part of the campaign, 20 teams were deployed – 14 tasked with survey and monitoring, and six with direct control operations. A total of 40 technical experts from the Ministry participated, covering an estimated 5,500 hectares to detect potential breeding sites. Once located, the teams acted immediately, scheduling time-specific campaigns to monitor the spread of desert locust clusters and launch control measures. So far, an estimated 700 hectares in Al Wusta Governorate have undergone targeted control operations.

Dr. Al-Mandhari underscored the Ministry’s commitment to modernizing its locust control strategies, pointing out ongoing partnerships with the private sector. Notably, cooperation with Al-Anqa Company has facilitated the use of drones for survey and control, reducing the time, effort, and cost involved in ground-based operations.

Desert locusts remain a significant threat to food security, capable of inflicting severe economic damage. A single swarm of one square kilometer can consume enough crops to feed 35,000 people in a day, and an adult locust consumes its own body weight in food daily. The Ministry is therefore prioritizing the development of infrastructure, technical expertise, and the procurement of specialized equipment and pesticides to reinforce Oman’s capabilities in combating desert locust invasions.

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