The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned about the widespread attack of the Moroccan locust on farmlands including wheat, in eight northern and northeastern provinces of Afghanistan.
According to the organization, the locusts have been observed in different stages of growth in Badakhshan, Badghis, Baghlan, Balkh, Kunduz, Samangan, Sar-i-Pul, and Takhar provinces. The situation has also been reported in central provinces, including Ghor province.
The FAO representative in Afghanistan, Richard Trenchard, highlighted in a statement that the Moroccan locust poses a significant danger to farmers, communities, and the entire country since it feeds on over 150 plant species, including tree crops, pastures, and 50 food crops that grow in Afghanistan.
According to him, two previous attacks by locusts in Balkh province, 20 and 40 years ago, destroyed approximately 8% and 25% of the total annual wheat production in Afghanistan.
Trenchard added, “This year’s harvest forecasts are the best we’ve seen in three years. However, this influx of Moroccan locusts poses a significant threat that could erase all recent progress and substantially exacerbate the food insecurity situation later this year and next year.”
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization has said that the Moroccan locust is considered among the most damaging plant pests worldwide and is capable of destroying seven thousand to 1.2 million tons of wheat globally this year.
