By Augustine Mumbere,
At least 97 % of the banana plantations in Karambi sub county Bukonzo County west in Kasese district are affected with Banana Banchy Top virus diseases -BBTV, Mr. Mores Muhindo the sub county agricultural officer has revealed.
Banana Banchy Top Virus disease –BBTV is a banana disease that causes severe stunted growth of banana plants, narrow leaves, coloristic leaf margins and dark green streaks on petioles and midribs and development of small sized bunches.
Addressing stakeholders from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture and the Plant Health Initiative during a study tour for smallholder farmers about the virus to Karambi sub county and Mpondwe-Lhubiriha town council, Mr. Muhindo the sub county agriculture officer said 97% of the banana plantations in the area are affected by the disease something that has greatly affected food production and household incomes. Mr. Muhindo speaking….
The BBTV that started 2021 in Uganda has had a devastating impact on banana production and it is said to have originated from the Democratic Republic of Congo and has affected the eighty sub counties in Bukonzo County west as most farmers are forced to have abandoned their banana productions.
Mr. Anatosi Bwambale the NRM chairperson for Karambi Sub County and Mr. Bosco Mughendabeyi a local resident of Kisolholho one village in Karambi Sub County whose gardens have been affected by the disease testified how it affected their gardens and quickly asked the ministry of agriculture in partnership with the district agricultural officers to provide new varieties of bananas that are resistant to diseases. Mr. Bwambale and Mr. Bosco speaking……….
Responding to the concerns, Dr. Alex Barakye, the head of Banana Research program from National Agricultural Research Organization-NARO pledged to get new varieties to farmers in order to address the challenge that has left many to food insecurity.  Dr. Barakye speaking……
Earlier, Mr. Julius Rukara the Kasese district agricultural officer cautioned community members in other district areas to desist from importing banana planting materials from Bukonzo west and the DR Congo in a bid to eliminate the spread the disease. END