Kasese Community Unites Against Banana Bunchy Virus

The community in Kasese has come together to fight the devastating Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV) that's been ravaging banana crops in the region since May 2021.

With an alarming 97% of banana plantations in Karambi Sub-county, Bukonzo County West, affected, the community recognizes the urgent need for action.

This alarming statistic was revealed by Sub-county Agricultural Extension Worker Mr. Moris Muhindo during a recent visit from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and other development partners.

The delegation was in the area for a three-day study tour focused on BBTV and its impact on smallholder farmers.

The virus, transmitted by the banana aphid, causes stunted growth in banana plants, posing a significant threat to local agriculture and livelihoods.

Farmers like Anatosi Bwambale, a farmer from Mirami I village, was the first to detect the virus in his eight-acre banana plantation, which was severely impacted after flooding from River Lhubiriha.

``Following the flooding of the Lhubiriha river,my banana plantation got the disease and it was heavily affected. I am almost cutting down the whole of it’’, He stressed.

Similarly, Mr. Bosco Mughendabeyi, Vice Chairperson of the St. Joseph Kisolholho Roman Catholic Church demonstration farm, shared that despite implementing preventive measures, the church’s farm was also affected

``The church farm is also affected despite the preventive measures in place.We realized that combining together we can fight this disease’’,Mughendabeyi stated.

Local resident Ms. Lasperina Mbambu expressed her frustration over the virus's widespread impact on their gardens, noting that it needs a combined effort by the community, leaders and the extension workers to ensure the disease is prevented.

``The disease has affected a lot of our banana plantations and this can only end if we work together with our leaders, and agricultural officers’’, She lamented.

Kasese District Principal Agricultural Officer (DPAO) Julius Rukara revealed that despite these efforts, challenges persist, noting that the proximity of Bukonzo County West to DR Congo contributes to the spread of the disease, with approximately 90% of banana plantations in the eight lower local governments affected.

``Approximately 90 percent of the local governments in Bukonzo county have been affected due to the fact that it borders DR Congo’’. He explained.

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), with support from the United States, is leading a regional project to combat BBTV in East Africa .

This initiative provides technical guidance and support to affected communities.

The community's unity and determination to combat BBTV are commendable. With continued collaboration and support, they can overcome this challenge and ensure a brighter future for banana farmers in Kasese.

As the community grapples with this agricultural crisis, efforts to raise awareness and implement effective control measures are now more crucial than ever.