By Fredrick Obura
NAIROBI, KENYA: A new Genetically Modified banana variety that is resistant to bacterial wilt could soon be available for growing by banana farmers across East Africa.
The new variety, currently under development is expected to boost the incomes of banana farmers in the region who have for long suffered massive losses due to attacks on the plant by the disease. Bacterial Wilt is one of the most devastating banana diseases and causes near total losses when it attacks a banana plant.
The Banana Bacterial Wilt was first reported in Uganda in 2001.It has since spread to almost all the main banana growing regions in the country and crossed into Kenya and Tanzania. The disease was officially reported in Rwanda in 2006 having crossed from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It has had devastating effects on incomes and food security of the affected farmers.
There has also been significant increase in banana prices in Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda as a result of declining banana production due to the disease.
