Cassava disease to cause food shortage

  1. Posted on Monday 20 April 2009 - 11:32
    Emeruwa
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    Victor Emeruwa, AfricaNews reporter in Lagos, Nigeria
    The destructive cassava mosaic disease, which almost wiped out cassava plants in Nigeria in the early 1970s, has resurfaced again in a more vicious form. Experts from a research institute have warned that the more virulent strain of the cassava mosaic disease could wipe out entire crop in West Africa.
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    James Agba, an official of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) an agricultural research institute in Lagos says the disease threatens to wipe out the crop in Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana and Togo “ a diagnostic survey by our experts have detected the new strain of the disease in West Africa” he said.

    “The disease combines features of strains earlier discovered in West Africa and East Africa” he added.

    According to a statement by the research institute, “The disease presents a tiny, black mosaic dots on the leaves and produces powdery substances on the stems of the cassava plant. It leaves affected plants stunted and depresses their yield by more than 80 percent.”

    Nigeria is currently the world leading producer of Cassava; this situation has created an emergency response from agricultural experts in the country. These experts are on their toes to ensure that the disease is checked and put under control. IITA says it has already started to counter the disease and would engage its expertise to halt the spread.

    “It might interest you to know that Nigeria earns lots of foreign exchange from cassava export, so we are at risk of running a big foreign exchange shortage if the disease continues to destroy the crop” said Adebisi Adurangba, an expert in agronomy.

    “There is need to show some concern over the Cassava disease because Cassava is a popular delicacy in Nigeria and most Africa countries, it provides multiple delicacy option for almost every household and the by-product can be converted to starch. It is very important in Africa food chain, so it has to be preserved and protected from the destructive disease” Adurangba said.

    The cassava plant, indigenous to South America, was introduced to West Africa during the slave trade in the 18th and 19th centuries. Its short maturity period of six months and ability to grow in both dry and rainy seasons quickly made it a staple crop.

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