The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has issued a warning about a potential desert locust outbreak in Morocco, as swarms continue spreading across North Africa.
The warning follows reports of locusts first appearing in the Sahel region in December before moving into Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya between February and March. While only small numbers have been detected in southeastern Morocco so far, authorities are ramping up efforts to prevent a larger infestation.
According to the FAO, locust swarms have already reached central Algeria, western Libya, and southern Tunisia, with the risk of further expansion increasing due to the spring breeding season and recent rainfall. If favorable conditions persist, locust numbers could surge, threatening crops and food security in the region.
Unusually heavy rains in August and September 2024 created ideal breeding conditions in the Sahel and southern Sahara. Further precipitation in February and March has fueled locust mobility, increasing the likelihood of their spread into new areas, the FAO report stated.
The organization warns that locusts could continue breeding in parts of Algeria, Libya, and Tunisia, forming small groups in April that may develop into larger swarms by May and June. These swarms are expected to migrate back to the Sahel between June and July, potentially passing through Morocco if containment measures are ineffective.
In response, the FAO has urged affected nations to intensify surveillance and launch immediate control operations to prevent further outbreaks. It called for coordinated monitoring and intervention efforts in North and West Africa this spring and expanded containment measures in the Sahel during the summer.
Morocco’s Interior Ministry has announced that all relevant sectors and authorities are on high alert. With locust movements being closely tracked in neighboring countries, Moroccan officials have stepped up preparations to counter any potential outbreak.
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