世界发展银行-Locust-Invasion-in-Ethiopia---Scope-and-Impact_8页_1mb

LOCUST INVASION IN ETHIOPIA: SCOPE & IMPACT

Core Content

This document presents an analysis of the scope and impact of two major desert locust invasions in Ethiopia, based on data from the World Bank-supported High-Frequency Phone Surveys (HFPS). The findings are derived from a combination of survey data and regional agricultural participation statistics, providing insights into how locusts affected rural households and their coping mechanisms.

Main Points

• Desert Locusts: The most destructive migratory pest in the world, capable of feeding on large quantities of vegetation, including crops, pasture, and trees.
• Two Invasions in 2020:
  • First Invasion: Occurred from January to May 2020, affecting 180-240 Woredas and damaging over 200,000 hectares of land in Ethiopia.
  • Second Invasion: Occurred in late September to October-November 2020, reported to be 20 times more severe than the first, causing widespread destruction of crops, grazing lands, and trees.
• Impact of Other Factors: The locust invasions were compounded by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, war, and flooding, which are expected to significantly reduce Ethiopia's economic growth and increase poverty levels by over 2 million people.
• HFPS Methodology:
  • The HFPS was integrated with the Living Standards Measurement Study - Integrated Surveys on Agriculture (LSMS-ISA) program.
  • A locust module was included in rounds 4, 6, and 7 of the survey, conducted in April/May 2020, September/October 2020, and October/November 2020.
  • The sample is not regionally representative, so the results are for illustrative purposes only.

Key Findings

Incidence of Locusts

• First Invasion:
  • Over half of all rural households experienced locusts in their kebele.
  • Nearly 30% experienced locusts on their own farms.
• Second Invasion:
  • 37% of rural households reported locusts in their kebele.
  • 20% reported locusts on their own farm.
• Regions with Highest Incidence:
  • Afar, Somali, and Harar regions had the highest incidence of locusts.
  • Oromia, Amhara, and SNNPR had higher population density and thus more households affected.

Damage and Intensity

• Crop Damage:
  • 59% of households with locusts on their farm reported crop damage in the second invasion, compared to 44% in the first.
• Grazing Land Damage:
  • 63% of households reported damage to grazing lands in the second invasion, up from 38% in the first.
• Tree Damage:
  • 52% of households reported tree damage in the second invasion, compared to 23% in the first.
• Damage Intensity:
  • 13% of households reported complete damage during the second invasion, compared to 6% during the first.
  • 18% of households with locust-induced crop damage reported complete crop damage in the second invasion.

Control Measures

• Most Common Methods:
  • Noise making or smoke (83%).
  • Backpack spraying (10%).
  • Aerial spraying (8%).
  • Burying locusts (4%).
• Effectiveness:
  • 56% of households using control methods reported them as very effective.
  • 42% of households using noise or smoke reported them as very effective.
  • 6% of households reported methods as ineffective.

Support Needs

• Support Requested:
  • 64% of households affected by locusts in the kebele reported a need for support.
  • Most Requested Support:
    • Food items (32%).
    • Cash (21%).
  • Least Requested Support:
    • Livestock feed (7%).
    • Seed for next season (3%).
    • Work to earn income (1%).
• Support by Damage Type:
  • Households with crop damage most frequently requested food (42%).
  • Households with tree damage most frequently requested cash (38%).
• Support by Damage Intensity:
  • Households with complete or severe damage primarily needed food (69% and 39%, respectively).
  • No households with complete damage requested livestock feed or seed.

Conclusion

The two locust invasions in Ethiopia in 2020 had significant and varying impacts on rural households, with the second invasion being more severe and widespread. The data highlights the need for targeted support mechanisms, particularly food assistance, for households affected by locust damage. The findings also underscore the importance of early intervention and the effectiveness of community-based control methods such as noise making and smoke.