On May 20th to 22nd, 2024, Director of Stewardship, Evelyn Lusenaka, attended the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Ministerial Meeting on Inter-Regional Platform for Desert Locust and other Transboundary Pests Control Management’s Technical Steering Committee hosted by IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre, a Regional Climate Centre of Excellence (ICPAC). The meeting brought together Ministers of Agriculture from IGAD’s 8 member states, Directors of Agriculture, and Heads of Plant Protection. Additionally, participants from research organizations such as CABI and ICIPE attended. Desert Locust Control of EA, a regional pest and vector management organization established by an International Convention, was also present at the event.
The agenda of the three-day meeting focused on the regulatory framework, adoption and use of biopesticides by the 8 member states for the control of Desert Locusts and other Transboundary Pests, development of regulatory and best management guidelines for drone use in desert locusts and other transboundary pests, and stewardship practices, especially in the management of empty pesticide containers and obsolete stocks.
The event provided a valuable opportunity to deepen discussions on desert locust control and other transboundary threats. It also explored avenues for further collaboration and networking with key stakeholders in the region. A training session for the 8 member states is being organised in the coming months, with CropLife AME supporting training on Safe Pesticide Management & Disposal of Waste Containers, obsolete stocks, and capacity building on biopesticides.