New diseases threaten Uganda's major food crops, like cassava, banana and maize. The country faces numerous agricultural challenges exacerbated by climate change and other factors, and it seems as if conventional preventive measures have failed.
Due to Banana Bacterial Wilt (BBW), Uganda loses $299.6m worth of bananas annually. Uganda is Africa’s leading banana producer and will lose that position if the problem continues. Over 13 million Ugandans depend on bananas for food and income. Naro has developed BBW-resistant genetically modified (GM) banana varieties.
Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD) causes an annual loss of $24.2m. More than 10 million Ugandans consume cassava as main food and 75 per cent of farmers grow it. Naro has also developed CBSD-resistant GM cassava.
Potential yield loss due to sweet potato weevil is 98 per cent. Uganda is Africa’s most important sweet potato producer but it may lose out. But adoption of GM potato could earn $16m annually.
In light of this, the question is posed as to whether Uganda should adopt the production of GM crops.
Source: monitor.co.ug
