Kasese agriculturalists team up to fight banana virus

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Agriculture extension workers from all the lower local governments in Bukonzo County, West of Kasese District, have embarked on joint efforts to fight against Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV), which has left the general population at stake of being struck by hunger.

The disease was first identified in 2021 in Karambi Sub-County, and it was suspected to have originated from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Code named as the G8, the county is made up of six sub-counties, including Karambi, Kitholu, Ihandiro, Nyakiyumbu, Bwera and Isango, with two Town councils, namely, Mpondwe-Lhubiriha and Kithoma- Kanyatsi, which have since 2021 grappled with the tricky banana disease. 

A farmer seeking advice from one of the sub-county agricultural officers at one of the plant clinics introduced at Nyamambuka ward. (Credit: Samuel Amanyire)

On May 5, one of the engagements supported by Solidlinks Initiative and Development, in partnership with government agricultural extension workers, was held in Nyamambuka Ward, Mpondwe-Lhubiriha Town Council.

During a recent interview with the New Vision Online, Ivan Mbusa Kapuru, the Ihandiro Sub- County agricultural officer, reported that areas witnessed some of the signs of the virus, including twisted eaves of the plant, limiting the plant yields.

Kapuru disclosed that his team have embarked on tipping farmers on disease control, including uprooting, cutting and spraying the affected plants with recommended pesticides.

"Those who don't comply by uprooting the affected plants are forced to pay a fine of sh20,000 per banana stem, and above all, we are registering tremendous success in fighting the disease," Kapuru said.

Hardships in fighting the disease 

Daphine Masika, the assistant extension worker at Nyakiyumbu Sub-County, said that efforts to fight against BBTV are frustrated f by farmers' failure to turn up for sensitisation meetings to equip them with the knowledge of fighting the disease.

"Most times we call for a meeting expecting over 300 farmers to turn up, but only a few do," Masika explained.

"Meanwhile, some of us don't have transport means and therefore find it very expensive to reach out to the farmers," she added.

Farmers' frustrations

Some farmers, like Puliska Biira Bwambale, recounted that their families are prone to hunger since all their banana plantations are being affected.

Frederick Masereka explained that they are currently exporting food, especially matooke, from neighbouring districts.

Prices have since gone up because of the transport costs.

A ray of hope

Edwin Mazima, the programs officer at Solidlinks Initiative for Development, stated that they have ventured into supporting communities in Bukonzo County, West to address farmers' challenges through their climate-smart agricultural practices.

Edwin Mazima, the programs officer at Solidlinks Initiative for Development, said that they have introduced plant clinics in all eight administrative units in Bukonzo County, West, to help in addressing farmers' challenges. (Credit: Samuel Amanyire)

Mazima, who said that they intend to maximise the productivity of young women and small-scale farmers in the communities, explained that they have introduced a plant clinic in all the G8s to aid in fighting pests and diseases, especially BBTV.

"We believe that all this will increase productivity. After all, a happy farmer is one who can work and improve his or her livelihood," Mazima said.

"But also we have empowered people with apprenticeship trainings, especially youths and young mothers with hands-on skills, including making laundry bar soap, as well as empowering women with startup capital and supporting nutritious farming in schools by offering seedlings," he said.