Government interventions against the Banana Bacterial Wilt (BBW) have reduced the overall prevalence of the disease by half leading to an increment in banana yields from April 2013 to April 2014.
The Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Tress Bucyanayandi, told Parliament that the BBW prevalence has reduced from an average of 42 percent in April, 2013 to less that 21.3 percent in April, 2014, and that Mbarara, Ntungamo and Isingiro districts had recorded incidences as low as 3 to 5 percent.
While mentioning the achievements of the interventions, the Minister said, “The yield of bananas has increased from an average of 6.4 tons per acre in April 2013 to average 7.8 tons per are in April, 2014.”
He said the Ministry of Agriculture had committed Shs 4.27b towards the control of the disease – which was used in workshops, printing of BBW Control trainers’ manuals, control awareness materials and radio messages.
Members said there was need for research in order to get disease resistant banana varieties. They also wondered how farming would prosper with no agricultural extension workers to provide information to farmers about agriculture. Members were also unhappy that a lot of funds were spent on workshops and training.
Minister Bucyanayandi said 61 districts were supported and guided on formulation of bye laws and funds were also disbursed to support local governments to control BBW.
The Minister explained that of the 63 districts monitored, 37 had bye laws in place, with Mayuge, Kiboga, Iganga and Jinja not having the bye laws in place yet.
The Minister however said that there is need to support the new banana growing areas in Northern Uganda such that it is done correctly.
He also said that government has been trying out extension systems since the early 1990s; and has now taken a decision to implement a unified extension system, with the recruitment, at sub county level, of an Agricultural Officer, Veterinary Officer, Fisheries Officer (in areas with water bodies) and an Entomologist (where there is need for disease control).