STRANGE DISEASE ATTACKS BANANA PLANTATIONS IN 11 DISTRICTS OF WESTERN UGANDA

By Aggrey Twesigye
www.mknewslink.com
In Mbarara

Strange disease has hit bananas in western region and is fast spreading in more than 10 districts with little or no response from the government.
The disease that agricultural experts have not defined, was first reported mid last year but intensified last month and has reached epidemic scale
National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) scientists told www.mknewslink.com reporter that the disease has not yet been characterized since it was first reported in July 2019.
Western region produces up to 68â„…of the country’s banana output, according to the 2009 findings of Uganda national bureau of statistics.
Local farmers say technocrats and leaders ignore them every time they approach them for help.
Fred Ndagano, one of the farmers in Kibaare in the new district of Rwampara, last week said eight acres of his banana plantation was wiped out
Kampson Gershom the head teacher for Kicece primary school in Ntungamo district said that the disease destroyed up to four acres of their banana plantation.
Kampson went on to say that this plantation has been the source of food for the teachers and pupils.
However, according to Dr. Halid kirunda the NARO director for Mbarara zonal area, which covers 16 districts in south western Uganda, the disease has spread to 11 districts.
He noted that they have received reports about the disease in Mbarara, Sheema, Rwampara, Isingiro Kazo, Mitooma, and Ibanda districts among others.
Dr. Kirunda said that a right diagnosis is their greatest challenge

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