Banana Crops Threatened in Africa, Food Supply In Danger

by Yuliya Talmazan | August 31, 2009 at 11:29 am

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The crops of bananas, a staple product of Africa, are threatened by two diseases that are infecting and killing banana plants. One of them - the banana bunchy top disease is non-curable and necessitates burning down entire plantations to get rid of. The disease prevents the banana plant from bearing any fruit. Another disease – banana bacterial wilt makes bananas inedible. Farmers are advised to use pesticides or resistant varieties of banana plants to fight off the diseases.

Banana crops in twelve African countries are affected by the disease, including Kenya, Uganda, Gabon, Angola, Tanzania and Malawi. Should the problem go unimpeded, the food supply of 30 million people could be in jeopardy. Bananas are a rich source of nutrients and a key nutritional element in the diets of local people.

Scientists say farmers need to take drastic measures now to stop the spread of the disease and to avert a disaster. They recommend excavating entire banana fields and treating them with pesticides or burning the plants.

The crisis is threatening to worsen hunger and deepen poverty for some 30 million people in Africa, who rely on the banana for food and income.

Experts told the BBC Focus on Africa programme that farmers would have to use pesticides or change to a resistant variety of banana, or simply just dig up their entire crop.

The scientists, from the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), issued a statement this week saying “drastic and expensive control measures” were needed.

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