By Aoma Keziah,
The Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA), in collaboration with the East African Community (EAC), the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), and the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI), hosted a groundbreaking five-day regional capacity-building workshop in Nairobi, aimed at enhancing preparedness and response strategies for emerging banana pest threats in the East African Community (EAC).
The event, brought together over 30 experts and stakeholders from the eight EAC countries, including Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, South Sudan, Somalia, and Tanzania. Participants included officials from the EAC Technical Working Group for bananas, Ministry of Agriculture representatives, plant health inspectors, researchers, and national agricultural institutions.
Being a critical crop for food security and economic stability in the EAC region, bananas face growing challenges from both biotic and abiotic stressors. While Uganda and Tanzania are the leading producers and exporters of bananas, emerging threats like the Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV), Banana Xanthomonas Wilt (BXW), Banana Rust Thrip, and Fusarium Wilt (Tropical Race 4) have posed significant risks to production, with widespread implications for food security and livelihoods.
“Bananas are a critical crop in the East African region, not only for food security but also as a source of income for millions of farmers. As we face the challenges of emerging pest threats, it is crucial that we come together to strengthen our collective response. This workshop is an important step towards building regional capacity, ensuring that we have the necessary tools, strategies, and collaborative networks to mitigate these threats and safeguard banana production in our region.” Said ASARECA Executive Director, Dickson Naguma.
In her remarks, Ms Asenath Koech Deputy Director in charge of pest and forecasting, pest risk analysis and surveillance KEPHIS, highlighted that the East African region has seen the devastating effects of banana pest diseases, and as plant health inspectors, their role in preventing the spread of these pests cannot be overstated.
“This workshop has provided us with the latest tools, knowledge, and collaborative opportunities to detect and respond to these threats. We must work together, share information, and implement the contingency plans we have developed to protect this vital crop.” She said .
The workshop, which was part of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme ex-pillar IV (CAADP-XP4) project, was designed to achieve several key objectives including:Review and appraise stakeholder responses to emerging banana pest and disease challenges such as BBTV, BXW, and the Banana Rust Thrip, develop country-specific response plans to the emerging pest threats and enhance capacity for early detection and rapid response, disseminate the EAC Pest Risk Analysis Report for Banana Trade and share best practices, innovations, and success stories for addressing these threats and enhance collaboration and coordination among stakeholders in the banana value chain, ensuring effective information-sharing and pest surveillance systems.
“The increasing number of new pest threats to bananas requires a multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder approach. As researchers, we must continue to innovate and provide solutions that are not only scientifically sound but also practical for farmers in the field. This workshop has strengthened our regional capacity, and it is exciting to see the partnerships that are now in place to tackle these emerging threats head-on.” Noted IITA Senior Plant Pathologist George Mahuku.
Commenting on the same, EAC secretariat representative Ms. Regina Kayitesi noted that the EAC region has seen significant success in banana production despite of the threats from pests that are ever evolving
“We has seen significant success in banana production, but the threats from pests are ever-evolving. This workshop has been an invaluable opportunity to update our country response plans and build the networks necessary for early detection and quick response. The coordinated effort we are fostering here will be crucial for the long-term sustainability of banana farming in East Africa.” She remarked
Stakeholders committed to enhance surveillance, improve coordination, and the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for banana inspections in the region. It also showcased successful case studies on preparedness and response, reinforcing the importance of a collaborative and proactive approach to pest management.
As the workshop came to conclusion , they together renewed commitment to building capacity for pest management, enhancing collaboration across borders, and sharing vital knowledge to protect banana crops from emerging threats,ensuring a unified approach to safeguarding one of the region’s most important crops.
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