Life as a locust officer: safeguarding crops and communities from desert locust

Desert locust are among the most destructive agricultural pests in the world, posing serious risks to food security and livelihoods.

In this interview, Ali Babalifashki, Desert Locust Information Officer at the Plant Protection Organization of the Islamic Republic of Iran, shares insights from the field on managing locust risks and protecting vulnerable communities.

What are the risks associated with desert locust, and what is your role in managing these risks?

The desert locust is a highly migratory pest capable of travelling up to 200 kilometres per day. During outbreaks, locusts form swarms that can cross borders rapidly, affecting multiple countries.

Each locust consumes approximately its own weight in vegetation daily. A swarm of 80 million locusts can consume the same amount of food as 35,000 people in a single day. If not controlled, outbreaks can cause severe agricultural losses, threaten food security, and in extreme cases contribute to famine.

Managing these risks requires continuous monitoring. During recession periods – when locust populations are low – we conduct regular surveys in breeding areas to detect early signs of population growth. During outbreaks, control operations are intensified to limit swarm formation and spread.

What inspired you to pursue a career in locust risk management?

Given my work with the Plant Protection Organization, and the importance of managing plant pests and diseases at both national and international levels, I developed a strong interest in desert locust management and control.

By participating in national and international training workshops led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), I was selected as a locust officer. I now lead desert locust survey and control operations in both focal (high-risk zones) and open field areas.

What does a typical day in your work look like?

Fieldwork varies depending on locust activity. During recession periods (when desert locust are absent or in a solitary phase), survey teams are deployed early in the morning to breeding areas. Teams typically consist of three specialists travelling in off-road vehicles to collect field data.

Data collection is carried out using FAO’s eLocust3K system , which records information such as geographic coordinates, vegetation cover, soil moisture, and locust presence. These data are transmitted in real time to FAO to support regional monitoring and forecasting.

When locusts are present, operations begin before sunrise. Control measures, including targeted pesticide application, are carried out early in the day to prevent locusts from dispersing. Activities are typically conducted in the early morning and late afternoon, when weather conditions are most suitable.

How do you use technology to detect and forecast locust outbreaks?

Technology plays a central role in detecting and forecasting desert locust activity. Tools developed by FAO, and the Desert Locust Information Service (DLIS), support monitoring and early warning efforts. DLIS is the focal point for all locust-related information that is necessary to operate an early warning system for desert locust.

Applications such as eLocust3K, geographic mapping tools, and forecasting software enable teams to identify high-risk areas and anticipate locust development over the coming months. These systems combine field observations with environmental data, such as rainfall and vegetation conditions, to assess the likelihood of outbreaks.

What does collaboration look like when dealing with locust risks across multiple countries?

Desert locust do not respect national borders, making regional cooperation essential. When neighbouring countries experience outbreaks, surveillance and preparedness activities are intensified in adjacent areas.

For example, during the 2020–2022 locust upsurge, outbreaks in countries along the southern Persian Gulf spread into the Islamic Republic of Iran, where favourable environmental conditions supported breeding. In response, extensive ground and aerial control operations were conducted over several years.

Effective management requires coordination across countries, including information sharing, joint monitoring, and, where possible, support for control operations in affected areas. Preparedness measures include mobilising equipment, personnel, and contingency plans to respond quickly to emerging threats.

What advice would you give to young professionals interested in disaster risk reduction careers, particularly in managing agricultural hazards?

Managing locust risks requires both technical knowledge and practical experience. For those interested in careers in disaster risk reduction, particularly in agricultural risk management, several steps are important.

First, building a strong foundation through study of pest management, food security, and risk reduction is essential. Second, participating in training programmes, including those offered by FAO, can provide valuable technical skills and exposure to international practices.

Finally, field experience is critical. Working directly in survey and control operations helps develop the practical skills needed to respond effectively to locust outbreaks and other agricultural hazards.

Ali Babalifashki is a Desert Locust information officer and head of the General Pests Group at the Plant Protection Organization of Iran. He holds a master’s degree in agriculture and has approximately 18 years of professional experience in monitoring and controlling locust species, with a particular focus on the Desert Locust. Over the course of his career, he has served as the Iranian team leader in five Desert Locust survey missions conducted in Iran and Pakistan. He has also participated in multiple training workshops organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), focusing on modern tools and methodologies for Desert Locust monitoring and control.

Ali is proficient in several locust monitoring and information systems, including eLocust2, eLocust3, eLocust3M, eLocust3W, eLocust3K, and RAMSES software. In his professional capacity, he prepares and submits monthly reports and national Desert Locust bulletins to FAO and member countries of the South-West Asia Commission (SWAC). He also receives, translates, and distributes FAO monthly Desert Locust bulletins to provincial locust experts in Iran. In addition, he has conducted annual training programs in Desert Locust breeding areas across Iran to build local technical capacity. During the 2019–2021 Desert Locust upsurge, Ali was involved in national control operations in Iran, including ground and aerial chemical control efforts across approximately 1.2 million hectares, aimed at preventing population expansion and minimizing agricultural damage.