DistantNews
Support us
🇮🇱 Israel /Environment & Climate

Moroccan locust swarms sweep eastern Iran, threatening crops and farms

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Swarms of Moroccan locusts are devastating agricultural lands in eastern Iran, threatening crops and the livelihoods of thousands of households.
  • While officials state the locusts pose no direct health risk, they are consuming crops like grains and fruits, as well as rangeland vegetation.
  • The proliferation is linked to drought conditions and poor water management, exacerbated by global warming, with authorities spraying pesticides and advising farmers against harvesting.

Vast swarms of Moroccan locusts are wreaking havoc across eastern Iran's agricultural sector, causing significant damage to crops and threatening the livelihoods of thousands of families. Footage shows immense numbers of the insects descending upon affected areas, raising concerns among farmers and authorities.

The invasion is threatening the 'livelihoods of thousands of households.'

— Tasnim News AgencyReporting on the economic impact of the locust infestation.

Medical officials have assured the public that the locusts do not pose a direct health risk. However, the invasion is severely impacting the region's food production. The Moroccan locust, known for its rapid reproduction, primarily feeds on grain crops, date palms, citrus fruits, olives, and figs. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations identifies this species as a major pest for cultivated plants. Beyond crops, the locusts also consume large amounts of rangeland vegetation, potentially leading to feed shortages for livestock.

Authorities have responded by spraying pesticides across large areas and have urged farmers to postpone harvesting to prevent chemical contamination of the produce. The sudden surge in the locust population has been attributed to a combination of changing weather patterns and prolonged drought conditions. Iran is currently experiencing its sixth consecutive year of water shortages, a situation worsened by years of poor water management, including the construction of dams that have contributed to river drying.

The Moroccan locust... is capable of rapid reproduction.

— Iranian Media ReportsProviding biological context for the locust infestation.

This environmental crisis is unfolding against a backdrop of broader challenges in Iran. International media have linked the persistent drought to recent unrest, which stemmed from public discontent over deteriorating economic conditions. The locust infestation adds another layer of hardship to the agricultural communities already struggling with resource scarcity and economic instability.

Farmers urged to refrain from harvesting crops to reduce the risk of chemical contamination.

— AuthoritiesIssuing directives to farmers amidst the crisis.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog