Morocco : locust control project

The project, to be implemented by the Ministries of Health (MOH), Interior, and Agriculture (MOA), will: (1) increase the GOM"s capacity to treat desert locust invasions with appropriate aircraft and pesticides; (2) train Moroccan personnel in pesticide handling and use and provide them with pesticide safety equipment; and (3) improve pest control operations. The project defines inputs for the March-June 1988 and the October 1988-January 1989 locust control campaigns. For the first campaign, A.I.D. has already provided flight time of two Turbo Thrush aircraft, 283,000 liters of pesticides, a field coordinator, and a locust assessment expert. This project will fund pesticide/health testing kits, ground to air communication radios, marking equipment, and protective clothing. For the second campaign, the project will provide additional flight time of the two aircraft, 400,000 liters of malathion, spray systems for 10 Moroccan Bell-205 helicopters, a small training and TA package, and possibly other commodities. A world authority on locusts will spend a month assessing the locust problem and helping refine these inputs. Short-term TA will also include three specialists to, respectively: (1) teach MOH technicians how to administer the cholinesterase monitoring test to field workers exposed to pesticides; (2) advise the GOM regarding pesticide management, help the MOH develop programs to minimize program-related health risks to the general public, and train MOA plant protection personnel in pesticide handling and management; and (3) advise on locust control strategy, management options, and policy, as well as the environmental impact of small spray planes and/or the ground application of specific insecticides. A.I.D. will also fund coordination and logistics TA and a consultant to help install the A.I.D.-funded spray systems in the Moroccan helicopters and develop spray expertise among pilots. Project support for locust control operations following January 1989 will be defined on the basis of monitoring of the locust situation by USAID/M. Other donors include the European Economic Community and the French Government. Amendment of 2/10/89 funds the 1/89-6/89 locust control campaign. The project will conduct basically the same activities as mentioned above, but will now include (1) planning for appropriate responses north of the Atlas Mountains, if needed; and (2) an improved environmental program. (PD-AAZ-934)