Page 24 - FULL YEAR BOOK 2021

Djibouti

DESERT LOCUST INVASION SERIOUS CONCERN FOR

AGRICULTURE IN DJIBOUTI

Food insecurity in the Republic of Ali-Sabieh, Tadjourah, Obock, and the hectares of pastures have been infested
Djibouti, is a serious concern, with Djibouti-City Suburb Areas ). with DLs. The damage caused is mainly
about 280,000 people (29% of the total on agricultural gardens/farms with
population) suffering from chronic food Indeed, while the bulletin issued the destruction of crop production
insecurity (CFI) across the country. The on 4 December 2019 by FAO’s locust (vegetables, forages, and fruit trees) , as
most severely affected areas are the watch unit indicated that DL swarms well and selectively on aerial pastures
Obock region in the North, the Ali-Sabieh were to strike the RoD, a report from constituting the important part of the
and Dikhil regions in the South, with 30%, the field already indicated a presence feed for goats and camels, dominant
25%, and 20% of the rural population at of DLs between 2 and 5 December livestock production in Djibouti.
severe CFI level, respectively. 2019 in Dikhil region (As-Eyla, Hanlé,
Dikhil periurban areas, Mouloud), and The negative impact on plant
This food insecurity situation has Ali-Sabieh region (Assamo). Technical production (crops, pastures, vegetables,
been recently exacerbated by the teams deployed early December 2019 fruit trees) is a serious threat to the
Desert Locust (DL) invasion triggered by FAO and the Government of RoD livelihoods and incomes of rural
by the high abnormal humidity since the reported 100% destruction of forage and communities. In view of the extent of the
floods of November 2019, which caused vegetable crops in Ali-Sabieh and Dikhil damage caused, the Government of the
damages that further threatens the food regions. RoD, through the Ministry of Agriculture,
security of more than 26 700 people Water, Fishery, Livestock and Marine
(4,450 households) among the population In January 2020, the decrease in Resources (MAEPE-RH), appealed to the
living in the affected rural areas (70% of temperatures due to continuous rains international community in a statement
the population engaged in agropastoral registered and the regeneration of issued on January 2020.
activities). The Government of the RoD the vegetation (ground and aerial
estimates that the damage caused by pastures) have favored another
the DL infestations on vegetation cover massive, destructive, and persistent DL TIME FOR ACTION:
(crops and pastures) has already caused invasion. To date, over 80% of the 1,700 The risk of losing all investments in
a loss of around USD 5 million for the agropastoral farms in 23 production agricultural initiatives and the work
six regions of the country (Arta, Dikhil, sites in the country and nearly 5,000 carried out for decades by small rural
farmers is enormous, despite the
Production (tonnes) of some agricultural commodities in exceptional rainfall. To reduce this risk,
Djibouti (2017-2018) it is urgent to carry out actions to control
the infestation, but also to support
Item 2017 Value 2018 Flag recovery:
Beans, dry 2233 Im 2250 Im
Cabbages and other brassicas 8 Im 8 Im • From control of the scourge, it
is essential to be part of a regional
Carrots and turnips 13 Im 13 Im
initiative. The Republic of Djibouti (RoD),
Chillies and peppers, dry 501 Im 498 Im
through its technical department in
Chillies and peppers, green 12 Im 12 Im
charge of agriculture and livestock and
Cucumbers and gherkins 7 Im 7 Im the technical partners, remain attentive
Dates 116 Im 117 Im and join the initiatives and consultations
Eggplants (aubergines) 55 Im 55 Im undertaken in neighboring countries, in
Fruit, tropical fresh nes 1144 Im 1162 Im particular, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, and
Lemons and limes 2617 Im 2668 Im Somalia, particular by acting to:
Lettuce and chicory 2 Im 2 Im
• Stop the spread of DL infestation
Maize 18 Im 18 Im through (i) ground control operations
Mangoes, mangosteens, guavas 575 Im 578 Im (larval locusts) with the supply of bio-
Melons, other (inc.cantaloupes) 163 Im 168 Im pesticides and equipment, storage,
Okra 29 Im 30 Im training, human and environmental
safety, and disposal of chemical drums
Onions, shallots, green 182 Im 187 Im
and containers, and (ii) air traffic
Oranges 5 Im 5 Im
control operations (adult locusts) with
Pears 3 Im 3 Im
aircraft subcontracting, purchase of bio
Pumpkins, squash and gourds 17 Im 17 Im pesticides, human and environmental
Sugar cane 53 Im 53 Im safety, training and disposal of chemical
Tangerines, mandarins, clementines, satsumas 2 Im 2 Im barrels and containers.
Tomatoes 1658 Im 1666 Im
• Ensure ground surveillance,
Vegetables, fresh nes 36401 Im 37321 Im
monitoring, and continuous impact
Watermelons 68 Im 68 Im
assessments in partnership with the
Im: FAO data based on imputation methodology Government of Djibouti.
Source: FAO Statistical Division 2019
22 Arab Agriculture 2021

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