Abstract:

Following an outbreak of a banana bacterial wilt disease (BBW) caused by Xanthomonas corn pestris pv. Musacearum that was destructive and rapidly spreading in Mukono and Kayunga Districts, the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) constituted a Taskforce to formulate a strategy to eradicate or contain the disease. An action plan was formulated and efforts to contain the disease implemented focusing on the two districts. Later the disease was found to be more widespread than previously thought and a lot was unknown about it. A strategy integrating research and development was therefore needed to contain the disease. The Director General, NARO, on instructions from Minister of Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries, constituted a new task force to formulate a long-term research and development strategy and action plan for control of the disease. The Taskforce was mandated to address a number of terms of references, which focused on reviewing the information on banana bacterial wilt, obtaining stakeholders' perspectives, identifying research and development options and policy requirements. BBW is fast spreading and has so far been confirmed in Mukono, Kayunga, Lira, Kaberamaido, Sironko, Jinja, Kamuli, Luwero, Apac, Kumi, Mbale, Pallisa, Nakasongola, Masindi, Hoima, Iganga, Mayuge, Bugiri, Kampala, Kiboga and Wakiso districts. In affected plantations, disease incidence of up to 90% has been recorded. The affected plants die prematurely and when affected at fruiting stage, the fruits rot and cannot be eaten by both man and animals. The disease no doubt is a serious threat to both the food security and banana export market that is starting to pick up. The taskforce has therefore formulated a national strategy and action plan, which requires a well coordinated national, regional and international effort to implement the research and development activities.