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Translator

Work to mitigate Banana Xanthomonas wilt (BXW) reaps rewards

25 October 2012   |   Permalink

 
Ugandan farmer with bananas. Photo: Bioversity/A. Vezina

Ugandan farmer with bananas. Photo: Bioversity/A. Vezina

The Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) has given its 2012 Award for Best KARI Implemented Project to a collaborative research effort, led by Bioversity International, to strengthen East-African food and income security. The project, funded by the McKnight Foundation, was given the award at the 13th KARI Biennial Scientific Conference. 

Rural communities of the east African plateau have, for centuries, depended on a perennial banana cropping system for both food and income. This system is already under serious pressure from a range of factors such as land-use conflicts, population pressure and climate change, but one of the most pressing concerns is the spread of the banana Xanthomonas wilt (BXW). In the last 10 years, BXW has spread from Ethiopia into the major banana growing regions of Uganda and Western Kenya. This devastating disease is wiping out crop holdings and threatening the food and income security of poor smallholder farmers in Central Africa, reportedly causing 80-100% crop loss of some banana stands in Uganda and DR Congo.

No resistant cultivars have yet been identified but some possess characteristics that make it harder for the bacteria to infect the plants under natural conditions. Unlike many other diseases, which mainly reduce yield, BXW affects the fruit and eventually kills the entire plant. Despite previous efforts, the disease continues to infect crops in previously unaffected areas and areas where it had been previously brought under control.

Bioversity International, along with key banana institute teams in the region including the National Agriculture Research Organization, Uganda (NARO) and the Kenya Research Institute (KARI) has been working with rural banana producers to better understand the disease and how to stem its spread, as well as develop and test the technologies, methods, approaches and partnerships needed to deliver quality bananas and related banana products to market.

George Ouma (on the right) was awarded the ‘Best Farmer, Ugunja District’ award for his efforts towards enhancing food security in Kenya. Photo: Bioversity/D. Odongo

George Ouma (on the right) was awarded the ‘Best Farmer, Ugunja District’ award for his efforts towards enhancing food security in Kenya. Photo: Bioversity/D. Odongo

The project was ranked ‘Best KARI Implemented Project 2012’ for using an innovative and holistic approach that recognizes the importance of participatory working across different levels, disciplines and gender, from the farm to the marketplace. The success of this collaborative approach has resulted in increases to productivity and livelihoods, for the farmers and value chain actors alike.

The current phase of the project is due to end on 30 November 2013, but proposed supplementary work will develop an epidemiological model for BXW, to help more effectively forecast and manage potential epidemics.

In addition to the KARI award, one of the farmers who participated in the McKnight-funded project has been honoured by the Kenya Government and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as ‘Best Farmer, Ugunja District’ for his efforts towards enhancing food security in Kenya. George Ouma is now a keen advocate of using clean planting materials to help fight the disease, spreading the word through churches, schools and farmer-demonstrations. He also supplies healthy banana seedlings, through KARI and FAO, to people who want to start banana enterprises, advising them also to diversify crops to spread risk and maximize income opportunities, and not just rely on bananas.

“This award means a lot to me and my community. We have a motto on the farm: ‘Work like a donkey and dine like a king or queen.’ It is true that running a good farm involves a lot of hard work, and to have this recognition gives us the incentive to continue,” said Ouma.

And last, but certainly not least, Dr. Margaret Onyango, team leader and project scientist from KARI, and former Bioversity International Fellow, took part in the World Food Prize Event in Iowa last week through the Norman E. Borlaug Leadership Enhancement in Agriculture Program (LEAP), in recognition of her distinguished contribution to the improvement of rural livelihoods in western Kenya.