MPs demand accountability for sh5b for curbing banana wilt

By Joyce Namutebi        
            
MEMBERS of Parliament have demanded accountability from the Minister of Agriculture regarding sh5b allocated for fighting banana bacterial wilt in the country.

The concern was raised after visits to banana plantations in Masaka District by the members of the Uganda Parliamentarians Forum on Food Security, Population and Development.

While in Masaka this week, MPs visited banana plantations owned by the late Misusera Mwanje’s  wife in Nabinene Village, Bisanje Parish, Leokadia Namata in Kasango village in Kabonera and another plantation owned by Mesarch katende in Kasango, all severely affected by the disease.

“We passed sh5b budget to fight banana wilt. What did this money do? Somebody from the Ministry of Agriculture should tell us. Did they access this money? Igara west MP, Raphael Magyezi said.

The forum led by Bugabula north MP, Allen Andrew had gone to Masaka, an area which used to be the main matooke growing area in central region, to assess the problem of banana wilt, listen to farmers and chart a way forward.

The forum’s objective is to generate general awareness on food security and population issues at all levels in the country, to lobby for the inclusion of food security and reproductive health issues in the government priority programmes and to ensure that early warning food security system exists in all parts of the country.

The visit was coordinated by Science Foundation for Livelihoods and Development (SCIFODE), a not for profit civil society organization whose mission is to promote application of science, technology and effective management of natural resources for sustainable development.

Katende told the MPs that before the disease struck his garden about four years ago he used to harvest about 80 bunches of matooke every two months, which is not the case now. “We eat posho,” he said as he appealed to government for drugs to fight the devastating disease.

The farmers said they use urine, salt and ash to fight the wilt. Present was the extension officer for Kabonera, Deborah Katasi.

Namata said because there is no matooke from her farm to sell to the market she cannot afford to take her children to school. She lamented that even the coffee which they had grown had also dried up.

Parliament is considering the National Bio-technology and Bio-safety Bill, 2012, which Bill provides for a competent authority, whose functions, if approved, will include approving the development, testing and use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in the country.

Some sections of society have opposed the bill, while others support it. The speaker had suspended debate on the Bill to allow MPs consult their constituents.

On February 6, 2015 the National Farmers Forum held a meeting at Jokas Hotel, Bweyogerere, where, after listening to scientists, said they were convinced that biotechnology offers a unique opportunity to have their challenges addressed.

After the Masaka visit Pallisa district MP, Judith Amoit called for more dialogue on the Bill warning that Parliament should not rush it.

SCIFODE Executive Director, Arthur makara said that in Isingiro and Mbarara they have food by-laws, but quarantine does not stop the disease from spreading. “We need varieties that will not succumb to this disease,” he said.

Kassanda North MP, Godfrey Lubega stressed the need to have experimental gardens for improved varieties.