Herbert Musiimenta, the Principal Agricultural Inspector in MAAIF has blacklisted the disease hotspots, saying that farmers need to avoid banana planting material from these in order to stop the spread.
The Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) has cautioned farmers against getting banana plantlets from the Western and North-West districts of the country due to the outbreak of the Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV) disease in the regions.
Farmers warned against getting banana plants from these West Nile districts
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Districts
Nebbi, Zombo, Arua, Maracha, and Koboko districts in North-West Uganda and Bunyangabu, Kasese, Kabarore, and Bundibugyo districts in Western Uganda. He asked them to practice caution with planting material from Kisoro, Kabale, Ntungamo, and Isingiro districts.
It is suspected that the disease originated from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda in late 2020 when it was first observed. Almost 14 months later, the MAAIF raised alarm after the disease had destroyed banana plantations in West Nile, Rwenzori and Tooro regions.
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Musimenta revealed that a team of officials from MAAIF has been deployed in districts neighbouring Rwanda and DRC to investigate the disease. He has advised farmers to first consult agriculture officers in their areas for recommendation on safe planting material.
Symptoms
The destructive nature of the virus on banana plantations is marked by severe stunting, narrow leaves, chlorotic leaf margins, and dark green streaks on midribs. The affected plant also has bunchy and choked appearance and rarely gives off fruit, when it does, the fruit is twisted and stunted.
It is spread by aphids and planting of affected tubers, and has capacity to wipe out banana gardens within three to five years if control measures such as destruction of affected stems, control of aphids, and planting clean materials, are not practiced.
