In a context where bananas are an economic pillar and a vital component for the food security and cultural identity of many African regions, more than 100 specialists, authorities, producers, and international organizations participated in a webinar organized by the World Banana Forum to discuss the threats posed by the Banana Bunchy Top virus (BBTV) and the wilt caused by Fusarium Tropical Race 4 (TR4).
Speakers agreed that these two diseases are impairing the production bases of African bananas. TR4, resistant to chemicals and persistent in the soil for decades, has already been detected in Mozambique, Mayotte, and Comoros, but poses a real risk to the entire continent. Meanwhile, BBTV, which causes stunted growth and total losses in plantations, has spread rapidly in Tanzania, Uganda, and Malawi.
Alfonso Sitole, from the Ministry of Agriculture of Mozambique, said that TR4 has been confined to a specific area of the country since 2013, but that containing it has posed great logistical, diagnostic, and economic challenges. "The outbreak is in the north of the country, and the nearest laboratory is in the south. This delays testing and makes the response more expensive," he said.
In Comoros, more than 70% of plantations have already been affected by TR4. Dr. Hamza Azali underlined the lack of a national budget to tackle the problem: "We rely on multilateral partnerships. We need urgent funding for our actions."
The phytosanitary team on the island of Mayotte shared how, despite access and human resource constraints, they are tackling this threat with strict inspections, communication campaigns, and elimination of outbreaks.
Organizations such as the Association for the Strengthening of Agricultural Research in East and Central Africa (ASARECA), which leads surveillance networks and promotes the exchange of experience and development of disease-free planting materials, highlighted the importance of a coordinated regional approach. "Cross-border cooperation is vital. Infected materials are crossing borders on motorbikes, unchecked," said Margaret Samuriwo, a representative of ASARECA.
George Mahuku of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) presented alarming data: in Uganda, plots that used to produce 150 bunches per crop are now completely devastated by BBTV. IITA works with farmers to raise awareness, promote the eradication of infected plants, and facilitate access to clean plant material as an incentive for recovery.
On the private sector side, the Compagnie Fruitière company detailed the biosecurity measures it implements in Côte d'Ivoire, where banana production generates more than 10,000 direct jobs. "We are reinforcing entry controls, disinfection protocols, and continuous training for our staff," stated Aurélien Joly. However, he stressed the need to also involve local communities to stop the spread.
Researcher Dian Mostert from the University of Stellenbosch presented diagnostic innovations, including portable LAMP kits and CRISPR technologies for TR4 detection, enabling quick responses in the field and reducing diagnostic mistakes.
The event was closed by Salifou Nassirou, coordinator of the African Union's Inter-African Plant Protection Council, who outlined the five key axes to contain these diseases: awareness campaigns, strengthening diagnosis, collaboration between countries, active surveillance, and harmonized phytosanitary policies.
"TR4 and BBTV are real threats, but so is the lack of coordination and resources. We can protect African bananas and secure their future for generations to come with political will, technical support, and strategic partnerships," he concluded.
The event made it clear that even though the challenge is enormous, knowledge, cooperation, and early action can make a difference.
For more information:
World Banana Forum
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations - FAO
Tel: +39 06570 52218
www.fao.org/world-banana-forum/