SALALAH – A five-day regional workshop on preparedness and response planning for desert locust outbreaks concluded today in the Wilayat of Salalah, Dhofar Governorate.

The workshop was organized by the Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in the Central Region (CRC) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with Oman’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources.

The workshop recommended that national emergency plans be regularly prepared and updated, then submitted to relevant authorities for activation in the event of any desert locust outbreaks. It also advised leveraging electronic planning tools such as as well as pesticide inventory management systems. Furthermore, it stressed the importance of regularly notifying national, regional, and international bodies about the latest locust developments to ensure readiness and preparedness for crises.

The recommendations also emphasized the need to test national emergency plans through field simulations to identify strengths and weaknesses, which would help improve the plans and enhance their effectiveness.

The workshop covered key topics, including planning locust control operations at national, regional, and international levels, mechanisms for preparing emergency plans, and practical training through field simulations. These activities aimed to strengthen the preparedness of member states and foster cooperation with international organizations.