Monitoring and Soil Amendments for Locust Management: a Pilot Project in the Kaf

Monitoring and Soil Amendments for Locust Management: a Pilot Project in the Kaf Monitoring and Soil Amendments for Locust Management: a Pilot Project in the Kaffrine Region of Senegal This proposed project addresses USAID/OFDAs mandate to save lives, alleviate human suffering, and reduce the social and economic impact of disasters, in this case, the ongoing problem of the Senegalese locust (Oedaleus senegalensis) in the Kaffrine region of Senegal. The proposed project will use locust biology as a tool for abatement: locusts prefer and grow best on low-nitrogen plants; therefore, locust populations negatively respond to crops adequately fertilized with nitrogen. We propose the use of village-based soil amendment and locust monitoring programs that iteratively link to national and international forecasting and management programs. This approach will leverage and improve on existing institutional infrastructure across these levels. We will implement a multi-tiered training program to develop capacity related to using this methodology and build community resilience to locust shocks. Using a Train the Trainer approach, this project will first implement an extensive training program for field agents with the Plant Protection Directorate (DPV). These field agents will then host single day farmer field days to train village leaders and farmers on the appropriate use of light traps for locust monitoring, and soil amendments for locust abatement. DPV agents will conduct more intensive locust monitoring surveys four times through the course of the project to understand immediate effects of the soil amendment program. Additionally, locally hired contractors will conduct before and after surveys with farmers and others to understand the impact of locusts on food security and farmer livelihoods, and after to identify success of the established monitoring and soil amendment activities. Monitoring and Soil Amendments for Locust Management: a Pilot Project in the Kaffrine Region of Senegal This proposed project addresses USAID/OFDAs mandate to save lives, alleviate human suffering, and reduce the social and economic impact of disasters, in this case, the ongoing problem of the Senegalese locust (Oedaleus senegalensis) in the Kaffrine region of Senegal. The proposed project will use locust biology as a tool for abatement: locusts prefer and grow best on low-nitrogen plants; therefore, locust populations negatively respond to crops adequately fertilized with nitrogen. We propose the use of village-based soil amendment and locust monitoring programs that iteratively link to national and international forecasting and management programs. This approach will leverage and improve on existing institutional infrastructure across these levels. We will implement a multi-tiered training program to develop capacity related to using this methodology and build community resilience to locust shocks. Using a Train the Trainer approach, this project will first implement an extensive training program for field agents with the Plant Protection Directorate (DPV). These field agents will then host single day farmer field days to train village leaders and farmers on the appropriate use of light traps for locust monitoring, and soil amendments for locust abatement. DPV agents will conduct more intensive locust monitoring surveys four times through the course of the project to understand immediate effects of the soil amendment program. Additionally, locally hired contractors will conduct before and after surveys with farmers and others to understand the impact of locusts on food security and farmer livelihoods, and after to identify success of the established monitoring and soil amendment activities.