Bolstering Pest Management in Northeastern Kenya: County Scouts Training Initiative, February 2024

1.0 Introduction

Plant Protection and Food Safety Directorate (PP&FSD) was received reports indicating there is escalating threat of locust infestations in Kenya’s North and Northeastern regions. These counties which are bordering Ethiopia and Somalia are particularly vulnerable to transboundary migration of such pests. A team of Plant Protection Officers conducted rapid field surveys and confirmed the presence of Tree Locust and African Migratory Locust in Carissa and Wajir counties as shown below.

2. 0  Interventions

To enhance the counties early preparedness and capacity for rapid response, the PPFSD team with support of the Counties Director of Agriculture has launched refresher training initiative targeting community field scouts in the affected areas.

This initiative aims to pass knowledge and skills such as advanced surveillance techniques, online reporting protocols and effective control measures for these migratory locust pests. By bolstering the capabilities of local surveillance teams, PPFSD endeavors to establish a proactive defense against pest incursions thereby mitigating the negative impact of locust infestations and foster resilience among the communities. Executing timely surveillance and control operations will ultimately safeguard agricultural productivity and food security in these regions.  In total ….. community scouts were reached in the counties of Garisa, Wajir and Marsabit in February 2024