Kebbi: The Central and West African Virus Epidemiology for Root and Tuber Crops (WAVE) has launched a sensitisation campaign for cassava farmers in Kebbi to curb a new cassava mosaic virus spreading across Africa. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the sensitisation programme was held on Tuesday at Tungar Noma community in Argungu Local Government Area. The aim is to educate farmers on how the virus affects cassava plantations and threatens food security.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Country Director of the centre, Prof. Ibrahim Umar, stated that WAVE, in collaboration with Abdullahi Fodio University of Science and Technology, Aliero, had established six demonstration plots across the North-West and North-East. These demonstration plots are intended to boost cassava productivity and improve disease management in the regions.
Prof. Umar highlighted that while Nigeria already has cassava mosaic disease, there are about 11 other cassava diseases across Africa, particularly in East Africa, that are gradually spreading westward. The most dangerous among them is the East African Cassava Mosaic Disease-Uganda variant, which is highly devastating as affected farmers may harvest nothing. Although it has been reported in some West African countries, it has not yet reached Nigeria.
The engagement aims to involve farmers in the centre’s disease monitoring process, particularly in reporting unusual symptoms discovered on their farms. Prof. Umar explained that the centre has shared phone numbers and distributed flyers containing pictures of disease symptoms, enabling farmers to quickly report any suspicious signs for prompt response.
Prof. Umar also warned about the potential impact of the virus entering Nigeria, given that the country is the world’s largest cassava producer. Early detection and rapid response are crucial to preventing the spread of the virus, he emphasized.