Muscat: The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources has reported that a recent survey and control initiative targeting desert locusts across various governorates indicates that the current status of these pests in the Sultanate of Oman remains stable and is being closely monitored.
The Ministry elaborated that the initiative assessed the desert locust's propagation, breeding sites, and the environmental conditions conducive to their reproduction, including the presence of wild vegetation and soil moisture resulting from recent rainfall.
Dr. Tarik Hamoud Al Mantheri, Head of the Pest Control Department at the Ministry, stated that ongoing monitoring is being conducted in different governorates of the Sultanate through field surveys and investigations at local breeding sites to identify any changes and respond promptly.
Al Mantheri noted that monitoring efforts in the governorates of Al Wusta, North A’Sharqiyah, and South A’Sharqiyah—from December 22 to January 20—revealed the presence of desert locust groups categorized as "individual cases" and "transitional cases." These operations allowed the Ministry to take early action by implementing a successful control campaign.
Desert locusts represent a significant threat to food security and can inflict considerable economic damage. They mature into adults within three weeks, with a lifespan ranging from 90 to 150 days.
The economic impact of desert locusts is substantial. A small swarm occupying just one square kilometer can consume enough food daily to sustain 35,000 people. Each adult locust is capable of eating an amount equivalent to its own weight each day.
