MEKNES, Dec.24 - Small locusts swarms were seen on Thursday in the regions of Meknes (150 km northeast of the capital Rabat).
Local authorities have started to treat with pesticides the rural regions where the small swarms appeared. Strong winds coming from the eastern regions have recently been reported, favoring the rapid movement of hoppers.
Meanwhile, the central anti-locust coordination post reported that an average 12,000 hectares have been treated with pesticides in the week of December 16 through 22.
The treated area has diminished from a daily 50,000 Ha as a result of the cold weather, says the coordination post which also reports daily hopper incursions from eastern and southeastern Morocco.
Since last September, the total sprayed areas reached 4.1 million, which is around half of Morocco's total area.
However, the presence of hoppers in various countries of the region, particularly in central Algeria, central and northern regions of Mauritania, southwestern Libya and favorable weathern conditions still cause worries as to the risks of invasion by next Spring (March-July).
The control measures have been reinforced with devices that can spot the passage of swarms.
