Banana farmers urged to accept expert advice

The chairperson of task force on Banana Bacterial Wilt (BBW) disease control in the sub-region, Mr Clement Kandole, made the appeal during a field study on the impact of the disease in Kitagata Sub-county, Sheema District on Wednesday.

Banana farmers in Ankole sub-region have been urged to follow advice from farming experts if they are to sustain banana growing.

The chairperson of task force on Banana Bacterial Wilt (BBW) disease control in the sub-region, Mr Clement Kandole, made the appeal during a field study on the impact of the disease in Kitagata Sub-county, Sheema District on Wednesday.

“It is possible to fight and eradicate the disease using the skills and knowledge acquired from sensitization programmes by the technocrats,” Mr Kandole said at Kashekuro Church of Uganda which has a demonstration centre for control of BBW.

This comes after politicians, civil servants and farmers from the sub-region joined efforts to fight the disease that is threatening to wipe out their livelihood.

They are also supported by the Food Agricultural Organization and the Ministry of Agriculture.
He also called for by-laws to deal with those who do not want to cooperate.

Mr Kandole, who is also the Mbarara District resident district commissioner, also warned that political interference would undermine the efforts in fighting the disease.

Farmers gave testimonies on how they have managed the disease, such as cutting and uprooting infected banana plants and chopping them, avoiding sharing of farm tools, and regular surveillance of banana plants, among others.

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