This makes the process of photosynthesis in the plant impossible and therefore the manufacture of its food.

The colocacia plant is an important staple food and income-earner not only for many grassroots ethnic peoples in the South West and North West regions but also for many other regions in Cameroon.

The population of the Kupe-Muanenguba and Lebialem Divisions in the South West region and those of the North West region at large where colocacia either serves as an indispensable complement for their stable food or as the main stable food are for example cases in point.

“The disease is already causing our people hunger that is hitherto unknown in the area. Farmers’ income is already seriously affected because we can no longer produce enough to eat and sell in our Mile 20, Leng Continental Market. This market, it should be noted, is the main breadbasket for the Douala population and neighbouring countries like Nigeria, Gabon, and Equatorial Guinea etc who flock to Tombel every Monday market day to buy plantains, cocoyams, colocacia and other food crops which are produced in abundance in the area”, Chief S.M. Metukmebong, traditional ruler Peng, Tombel division of the South West region said.

Worries of the traditional ruler of an imminent hunger and general misery among farmers if something is not done and urgently too to control the colocacia disease outbreak was also underscored by experts at the Institute of Agricultural Research for Development, IRAD, Ekona and the South West Regional Delegation of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Dr. Amayana Adiobo of the Biotechnology Laboratory at the Institute of Agricultural Research for Development, IRAD, Ekona, a specialist in the domain, confirmed the disease outbreak and described it as serious. He, however, regretted that they do not yet have the means at the disposal to immediately follow up the disease outbreak.

Meanwhile, the South West Regional Delegate of Agriculture and Rural Development, Lawrence Forwang, corroborated Dr. Amayana, adding that the disease is very serious and if not checked in time, will lead to untold hunger and drastic reduction in farmers’ incomes.

Forwang, however, gave farmers in his region hope and called on them not to panic because he has already reported the pathetic situation to the Vice Prime Minister in charge of Agriculture and Rural Development who is already taking steps to check the disease outbreak that is a serious concern for government.

The Regional Delegate also said at the moment it is yet to be identified whether the disease is of fungal or bacterial origin, but added that steps shall be taken both for its short term and long term control and possible eradication.