Agricultural scientists have embarked on a campaign to curb the further spread of the invasive banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) in the West Nile sub region.
Over the past three years, banana farmers in the districts of Nebbi, Arua, Zombo, Maracha, Terego and Arua City have been battling with the disease, which causes severe stunting and bunching of banana leaves and complete loss of fruit production especially in the second season of production.
Under the initiative, banana farmers in the sub region are being empowered with skills to reduce the infection causing severe stunting and bunching of leaves by getting rid of the infected plantation. The scientists have also equipped the agricultural extension workers in the sub region with a mobile app dubbed the “plant village” to detect and report on the disease.
David Kutunga Rukaijakare, the Principal Agricultural Inspector Crop Inspections department at the ministry of Agriculture Animal Industries and Fisheries (MAAIF) says that the campaign is to increase awareness among the communities about the management of the disease.
An infected plant with banana bunchy top virus presents with severe stunting, narrow leaves, chlorotic leaf margins, and dark green streaks on petioles and midribs. The affected plant also has a choked appearance.
George Mawuku, a plant pathologist and the country coordinator of the intentional institute of tropical agriculture explains that the banana bunchy top virus spread through vegetative propagation of bananas as well as by the aphid. He advised the farmers in the sub region to stick to using clean planting materials.
Joyce Piwa, the Nebbi district Agricultural officer discloses that most of the banana planting materials come from the neighbouring Democratic republic of Congo through the porous border points.
Meanwhile, Nelson Adile, the acting Arua district Agricultural Officer notes that banana production in the sub region has reduced drastically over the past three years following the invasion by the disease.
According to the information obtained from the ministry of agriculture, Bunchy top disease can cause severe stunting and bunching of leaves, and the plants do not produce any fruit leading to 100-percent loss.
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Scientists Extend Fight Against Banana Bunchy Top Virus To West Nile
