Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) disease has been discovered in districts of Uganda and neighbouring countries of Rwanda, Tanzania and Congo.
According to Ugandan Department of Crop inspection and certification (MAAIF) the disease was confirmed in 2020 in districts of Arua, Kasese, Zombo. They are now undertaking a survey to determine how widely it has spread in the country.
Joab Tugume, a Senior Agricultural Inspector in charge of plant Quarantine and Import Regulation under MAAIF the high risk areas in Uganda obtain banana planting materials that are infected from neighbouring country Congo.
They advise people to not move banana material from one district and country to another.
MAAIF is conducting a delimiting survey to determine the extent of the spread of BBTV. The disease causes banana plants to stunt, narrow leaves, dark green streaks on petioles and midribs as well as lose production of bunches. It can wipe out plantations in 3 to 5 years.
Source: Monitor.co.ug