Review policies in East Africa Region to Adress Challenges Facing Banana Production.
Bananas are a crucial crop for food security in the East African Community (EAC), with Uganda and Tanzania being the region’s primary producers. In addition to being a vital food source, bananas provide income for many households.
However, banana production in the region faces challenges, particularly from pests and diseases, which have hindered the crop’s growth. The emergence of new pest threats has significantly affected banana farming, leading to setbacks in production.
Over 50 million people in East Africa depend on highland bananas for food and income, contributing approximately Sh554.7 billion to the region’s economy annually. Despite this, pests, diseases, drought stress, and nutrient deficiencies continue to negatively impact banana yields.
Collaborative Efforts to Address Pests and Diseases
Banana farmers in Kenya are among over 70 million growers across East Africa who have benefited from a concerted effort to combat emerging pests and diseases. Value chain players have accelerated measures to control these threats, boosting the banana industry’s earnings.
Experts from Kenya, Burundi, Uganda, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Somalia, and South Sudan recently gathered in Nairobi to share best practices and strategies for managing banana pests and diseases.
This initiative, led by the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA), aims not only to build the capacity of stakeholders but also to develop country-specific action plans. The workshop also included a field experience from the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services (KEPHIS), focusing on practical methods to address pest challenges.
Key Insights from Experts
During the meeting, Dr. Sylvester Dickson Baguma, Executive Director of ASARECA, highlighted the importance of bananas in the region’s food security and economic stability.
He emphasized that emerging pests, such as the Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV), pose a significant threat to the banana industry. Baguma stressed that addressing these threats requires a coordinated regional approach, as they affect multiple countries, not just individual farms.
According to Baguma, comparing knowledge, technologies, and expertise across countries can significantly improve pest management efforts. He also mentioned that revising certain restrictive policies could enhance pest control strategies.
Dr. Zachary Kinyua, Assistant Director of Crop Health Research at the Kenya Agricultural Livestock and Research Organization (KALRO), underscored the importance of preventing the introduction of pests and responding quickly once detected.
He explained that timely action would help reduce the use of harmful pest management resources, such as chemicals. Kinyua pointed out that pests like banana Xanthomonas wilt, banana bunchy top disease, and Fusarium wilt (Tropical Race 4) not only lower yields but also have long-term impacts on food security and livelihoods.
The Impact of Banana Bunchy Top Virus
Dr. George Mahuku from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) discussed the emerging threat of the Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV), which was first reported in 2020 in Tanzania and Uganda. The virus, which had been present for some time, is now spreading across regions, causing significant losses for farmers.
Many farmers were unaware of the pest until their crops were entirely destroyed. Mahuku stressed the need for awareness campaigns and the use of clean planting materials to prevent the spread of the virus. He also highlighted the importance of managing trans-boundary diseases through coordinated efforts.
Banana Production and Trade in the Region
Banana is one of the most traded fruits globally, with Uganda and Tanzania being the leading producers and exporters in the EAC region. Together, these two countries produce 20.4 million tonnes of bananas annually, though only 30% of this is traded.
The region’s average banana consumption per capita is 191 kilograms annually, with Uganda’s consumption ranging between 220kg and 400kg per person. In terms of production, Uganda leads Africa with 6 million metric tonnes annually, followed by Angola (4.35mt), Tanzania (3.59mt), Rwanda (2.14mt), and Burundi (1.28mt). Uganda ranks second globally in banana production, behind India.
Workshop on Managing Banana Pests and Diseases
The workshop on banana pests and diseases in the EAC is part of ASARECA’s broader program under the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP-XP4). This 5-year project, started in 2019 and supported by the European Union, focuses on strengthening agricultural research and development.
ASARECA is collaborating with the East African Community (EAC), the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), and the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI) to implement these initiatives.
Conclusion
The growing threat of pests and diseases to banana production in East Africa requires urgent attention and collaborative action. The workshop in Nairobi represents a crucial step in equipping regional stakeholders with the knowledge and tools needed to safeguard the banana industry.
By sharing expertise, adopting best practices, and developing coordinated strategies, the EAC aims to mitigate the impacts of emerging pest threats and ensure the continued success of banana farming in the region.
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