ZOMBO: CONCERN MOUNTS AS BANANA DISEASE RAVAGES CROP FIELDS

Banana plant affected in Pasaye Parish, Alangi Sub County, Zombo district. All photos by Mike Rwothomio. 

By Mike Rwothomio

Zombo

Leaders in Zombo district have raised concerns over the rapid spread of Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV) that is continuing to ravage banana crop fields of most farmers across the district.

The disease currently one of the most destructive viral diseases of banana has caused severe loss to farmers across Zombo district.

Jane Evelyne Othora, the chairperson production committee Zombo district said from the recent rapid assessment and surveillance conducted, it is estimated that so far 5 percent of the banana gardens has been destroyed.

She appealed for the intervention of the ministry of Agriculture, saying the district’s effort in addressing it is yielding no results.

“The disease is so devastating, it has reached economic threshold which require intervention by ministry since the disease is harbored in the democratic republic of Congo,” Othora said, adding that DR Congo authorities should be notified to take rapid control mechanisms.

She added, “already 5 percent of banana gardens have been destroyed in the district.”

Evylene Othora Jane, the chairperson production and natural resources
committee Zombo district.

Controlling the spread of the disease is proving challenging to many rural farmers,   as the disease is majorly transmitted to Uganda through movement of infected plants majorly from DR. Congo.

Binen David Arua, the district councilor of Jangokoro Sub-County highlighted that many farmers have been rendered helpless, and appealed for more extension services to farmers.

“Many of our farmers are helpless because they can’t tackle the disease, their crops are getting destroyed and we appeal for the government intervention,” Binen told this publication, adding that banana plantations of hundreds of farmers in the area needs urgent support.

The spread of the disease is said to have started in 2022 and has now ravaged banana plantations in sub counties that includes Nyapea, Abanga, Jangokoro, Paidha, Atyak, Kango, Alangi and town councils of Paidha and Padea respectively.

CAUSES 

Banana Bunchy Top Disease caused by banana bunchy top virus is a plant virus transmitted by a small black insect called the banana aphid and experts say it doesn’t affect human or animal health.

The banana aphid (Pentalonia nigronervosa) acquires the virus while feeding on the sap of infected plants. The virus can persist in the banana aphid for 13-20 days.

Banana aphids are small with reddish-brown, oval-shaped bodies. They have two characteristic projections at the rear of the abdomen.

It’s reported that the rapid spread of the virus is as a result of the spill over from the Democratic Republic of Congo, given the porous nature of the border, with about 9 lower local governments of Zombo, sitting along the border.

Douglas Rupiny, the district councilor of Padea town council said “the disease has become rampant in Padea currently, because we are at the border and most of our farmers have gardens in DR Congo, I think sensitization is really needed here”

Apparently, most farmers feel so scared of the virus, which is having a devastating impact on their banana yields that help them as staple food and also a major revenue generating source.

Banana is amongst the most important food security crops grown in the hilly district of Zombo, with the population of over 300,000 people, most of whom are peasants and rural based.
The Zombo district agriculture officer Patrick Anenuiu, in an interview said the district has been on the lookout since 2021 when the case was reported.

“Since 2021, we were on the lookout and we put the disease on surveillance until 2024 around June, we were able to identify it in two spots in Kango and Jangokoro sub counties, we have already confirmed cases in Aka, Zeu, Paidha , Nyapea Abanga, Paidha town council” Anenuiu said.

He added that, “there are some hidden gardens which are holding these diseases, the farmers are still not aware.”

Zombo, said to be West Nile’s leading banana producing district has seen the virus spread unabated. Recently, officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal industries and fisheries, were for an engagement with stakeholders, leaders, strategies including intensive sensitization were hatched, as one of the pre-emptive measures against the spread.

SIGNS OF THE DISEASE

Dark green streaks along the small veins on the underside of the leaf. The streaks consist of dots and dashes in a Morse code pattern which form J-shaped hooks where they join the midrib.

As it progresses dark green streaks appear on the infected leaves, midribs and stalks. In older banana plants dark green streaks may be seen on flower bracts.

Banana plants which are mature when infected with BBTV may produce fruit but the bunches will be stunted and deformed.

DAMAGE

Banana plants infected with BBTV rarely produce fruit. If fruit is produced it is small, deformed and unmarketable.

INTERVENTIONS

Dr. Joab Tugume, the Senior Agriculturalist in charge of quarantine at Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) said the disastrous disease, is said to have originated from DR. Congo, advising farmers to regularly visit their gardens, remove and burn all infected suckers.

“This disease is known to have originated from DR Congo, but because there is an increased exchange of planting materials between the border communities, you know that our borders are porous, we are encouraging farmers not to exchange materials especially from Congo” Tugume said.

Additionally George Mahogo, a Plant Pathologist from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, equally urged farmers to “to burn affected banana suckers from the gardens to kill aphids.”