Facing a looming locust invasion, Uzbekistan is on high alert, particularly in the Romitan district near Gazli, along the A-380 "Bukhara-Khorazm" highway. Locusts and grasshoppers pose a significant threat to agriculture in Uzbekistan and Central Asia. Three species, including the Moroccan, Italian, and Migratory locusts, are particularly worrisome.
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As of April 2024, Moroccan Locust hatching and development were noted across all Caucasus and Central Asia (CCA) countries, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations reports. Italian Locust hatching was observed in southern Kazakhstan by late April, while Migratory Locust hatching occurred in Russia's Krasnodar region. CCA countries treated 335,094 hectares since the start of the 2024 campaign, a 17% increase from the same period in 2023.
If not controlled, locusts can damage over 25 mn hectares of pastures and crops, directly affecting more than 20 mn people. These insects can fly up to 100 km per day and damage various crops and plants common in Central Asia.
Agriculture ministers from five Central Asian countries recently met to discuss sustainable locust management. The meeting aimed to enhance cross-border cooperation and share knowledge, experience, and lessons learned to improve locust management and reduce related risks.
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