Famine looms as banana wilt hits Bushenyi, Masaka

Publication date: Tuesday, 1st September, 2009

By Chris Ahimbisibwe

THE food situation is grim as the banana bacterial wilt disease continues to destroy banana plantations in almost all the sub-counties in Bushenyi district. So far, over 150 families have lost their banana plantations.

The district agriculture officer, Jeninah Tumushabe, said the disease had spread in the 29 sub-counties. Tumushabe said the most affected areas are Mutara, Kabira, Kitagata, Nyabubare, Kagango, Karungu and Kyangyenyi.

The district head of production, Dr Francis Muhumuza, said they were doing everything possible to mitigate the situation.

According to him, the affected families had been advised to join the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) programme to acquire planting materials which mature in a short period. “As we wait for the dry season to end, we have asked NAADS give the residents planting materials,” Muhumuza said.

The district vice chairperson, Enid Rubegyemera, said: “This paints a gloomy picture for the region and the entire country. Famine is looming.”

“We call upon the Government to support us.” said Asaph Mukundane, a farmer in, Ruhinda County.

Bushenyi district is one of the leading producer of bananas and the country’s food basket.

Meanwhile, banana bacterial wilt has reportedly reoccurred in Masaka district, another leading producer of bananas , reports Ali Mambule.

Prossy Mutumba, the district agriculture officer, said as a result, production has reduced by 40%.

She said the most affected areas include Kyazanga sub-county where the diseas was first sited in 2005, Mukungwe, Butenga and Buwunga.

Mutumba lamented that the problem is compounded by farmers’ reluctance to take advice given by extension workers and agriculture experts. She said in Buwunga sub-county, the farmers are using same tools to harvest bananas in all plantations, spreading the disease from one plantation to another.

The district NAADS coordinator, Francis Sebadduka, said in Kyazanga, the largest market for bananas, production has drastically reduced. “They used to load trucks of bananas to Kampala daily but nowadays it is difficult to fill even one lorry,” he said.

What is BBW?

Banana bacterial wilt (BBW) is a bacterial disease. The disease is very destructive, with an incidence of 70%-80% in many plantations. Yield losses of 90% have been reported on some farms.

The most prominent symptoms are the early yellowing and collapse of leaves, which becomes more distinctive as the disease progresses.

The fruit ripens unevenly and prematurely and the plant is found rotten and discoloured inside.

In Uganda, banana bacterial wilt was first reported in 2001 in Mukono and Kayunga districts. It has since been confirmed in the districts of Lira, Apac, Kaberamido, Kumi, Kamuli, Jinja, Sironko, Mbale and Luweero. More recently in Wakiso, Kitgum, Katakwi, Soroti, Pallisa, Iganga, Nakasongola and Tororo.

How does it spread?

It spreads mainly through infected banana planting materials, infected cuttingtools, insects and animals.

Control measures

Cut off the male flower buds (empumumpu). This keeps away insects like bees which transmit the bacteria

•  Disinfect the farm tools after use

•  Wash your hands using a disinfectant

•  Bury all the affected banana plants

•  Restrict movement of plant material from infected areas to other areas.