Experts meet to save bananas from looming threat
A proud farmer admires a healthy banana plant.The country’s plan to boost banana exports is threatened by a devastating disease that has recently spread to Africa, the United Nations FAO has warned. PHOTO/NATION
What you need to know:
- Consequently, FAO experts are meeting in Nairobi this week with East African agriculture officials to devise strategies to prevent the spread of Fusarium wilt, a disease that is virtually impossible to eradicate once it takes root in a banana field.
The country’s plan to boost banana exports is threatened by a devastating disease that has recently spread to Africa, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation has warned.
“The spread of Fusarium wilt banana could have a significant impact on growers, traders and families who depend on the banana industry,” said Mr Fazil Dusunceli, an FAO plant pathologist. “Countries need to act now if we are to avoid the worst-case scenario, which is massive destruction of much of the world’s banana crop,” he said on Monday.
Consequently, FAO experts are meeting in Nairobi this week with East African agriculture officials to devise strategies to prevent the spread of Fusarium wilt, a disease that is virtually impossible to eradicate once it takes root in a banana field.
Kenya hopes to earn millions of shillings by tapping into overseas markets with a big appetites for bananas.
Meru County government announced in December that it had clinched a deal to export large quantities of bananas to China.
Officials said at the time that the trade partnership with China was expected to boost the Kenyan economy by Sh9 billion. But the wilt disease could thwart this initiative.
