2022 Seed Grant Award Problem Statements 

Agriculture / Food Security

Problem #5:  Negative Impact by Zonocerus Variegatus (Pest Locust)

Country/Region of execution: Ituri Province, Aru Territory, Democratic Republic of Congo
Collaborating Organization: World Concern
World Concern, an international relief and development agency founded in 1955, focuses on the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable within society, providing capacity-building for partners while having the flexibility to respond to disasters through relief and rehabilitation assistance. Currently, World Concern implements roughly $30 million in programming in its 13 country offices located throughout Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Since 1991, WCDO has received, implemented, and administered grants in excess of $59 million from USAID. WCDO headquarters is based in Seattle, WA, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) office in Aru, Ituri Province. World Concern is partnering with the Higher Institute of Medical Techniques/Salama University of Aru. The two institutions seek to improve the health and well-being of the population through innovative health care education programs, modern applied research, and exemplary clinical services. 
Problem Statement Description:  Zonocerus is an insect commonly referred to by the locals in the Aru region as a stinking locust because of the nauseating odor that it created between 2017 and 2018. It is an insect that has had a severe impact on subsistence agriculture. Whenever it invades a place, it gradually spreads in the crop fields and systematically destroys crops and other vegetation. It attacks crops such as vegetables, castor, cassava, beans, soybeans, corn, coffee, cocoa, lemon, cotton, banana, pineapple, and papaya. In the past, Zonocerus variegatus has been responsible for causing three years of famine.  The young larvae burn the leaves while the adult larvae eat the entire leaf blade, completely defoliating the plant. A solution to this insect will greatly improve food security by reducing agricultural losses. Agriculture is the main livelihood of the local population. Is there a cost-effective mechanical or biological solution to this problem that will reduce peasant farmers' losses?