Experts in 2020 tracked swarms of locusts across more than 800 square kilometres in the region to monitor infestations and crop damage.
Desert regions were surveyed by the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority over 10 weeks after sightings of locusts at Dalma Island's farms.
In a situation report, about 430 square kilometres were checked in Al Ain, with control operations on locust populations executed across almost 300 sq km.
"Desert locusts pose a threat to crops and farm production, because their swarms can devour large amounts of vegetation," said Mubarak Al Mansouri, executive director of agricultural affairs at the authority.
“Controlling locusts is a shared responsibility between relevant government entities and farm owners.”
Each insect can eat its bodyweight in food every day, to devastating effect.
The agricultural authority was placed on high alert to combat any swarms coming from locust breeding areas in the Arabian Peninsula and the Red Sea coasts.
Control measures were put in place on farms in Al Dhafra and Abu Dhabi to protect crops and agricultural land from the insects.
The operation involved 125 engineers and 144 workers, while 72 vehicles were used to spray locusts across the vast area.
Climatic conditions helped the recent outbreak of locusts seen in the region as swarms advanced across East Africa, south-west Asia, and the Red Sea coastal areas.
It posed the greatest threat to food poverty in those regions with the potential to devastate huge areas of crops.
In 2020, the environment ministry developed an online early biosecurity notification system to report sightings, while monitoring the movement of locust numbers elsewhere in the region.
Swarms of up to 80 million locusts have steadily increased since 2019 owing to a series of unusual weather patterns. They are able to cover up to 130km a day devouring huge areas of vegetation in their path.
East Africa was one of the regions worst hit, with farms devastated in Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia.
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
Brief scores:
Toss: India, opted to field
Australia 158-4 (17 ov)
Maxwell 46, Lynn 37; Kuldeep 2-24
India 169-7 (17 ov)
Dhawan 76, Karthik 30; Zampa 2-22
Result: Australia won by 4 runs by D/L method
