Sh67b to fight cassava disease
Jul 14, 2010
THE Government is soliciting a $30m (about sh67b) loan from the World Bank to research on the cassava brown streak disease.
By Josephine Maseruka
THE Government is soliciting a $30m (about sh67b) loan from the World Bank to research on the cassava brown streak disease.
The disease, according to Bulegeya Komayombi, a commissioner for crop protection in the agriculture ministry, has destroyed 50% of cassava crops in the country, with the central and western regions being most affected.
He added that 30% of cassava crops in the northern and eastern regions have also been affected.
The disease is caused by a virus carried by the white fly. It spreads by planting infected cuttings.
Kamayombi explained that $8.6m (about sh19b) of the loan would be used to develop disease resistant cassava varieties.
“Unfortunately, we do not have any cassava variety which is resistant to this disease. Research is ongoing and we hope to get a resistant variety in the next six years.â€
Kamayombi made the remarks recently while appearing before the parliamentary committee on national economy with agriculture state minister Aggrey Bagiire to present the loan request.
Bagiire explained that the loan would be payable in 40 years with a grace period of 10 years at an interest rate of sh0.75% per annum.
Stressing the need to fight the disease, Bagiire reminded the MPs of the 1990-1995 famine in eastern Uganda, which arose from the African cassava mosaic virus. He said the Government spent $60m (about sh135b) annually to contain the disease.
“Cassava is a food security crop. Any threat to the crop spells disaster for the people and the economy.â€
Bagiire noted that the crop had latent commercial potential and was regarded as an excellent candidate for commercial exploitation.
He said northern Sudan–bound traders buy cassava crops before they are harvested, which has contributed to the escalating prices of fresh roots. “This development can escalate famine although it is a good opportunity for households recovering from conflict.â€
THE Government is soliciting a $30m (about sh67b) loan from the World Bank to research on the cassava brown streak disease.
The disease, according to Bulegeya Komayombi, a commissioner for crop protection in the agriculture ministry, has destroyed 50% of cassava crops in the country, with the central and western regions being most affected.
He added that 30% of cassava crops in the northern and eastern regions have also been affected.
The disease is caused by a virus carried by the white fly. It spreads by planting infected cuttings.
Kamayombi explained that $8.6m (about sh19b) of the loan would be used to develop disease resistant cassava varieties.
“Unfortunately, we do not have any cassava variety which is resistant to this disease. Research is ongoing and we hope to get a resistant variety in the next six years.â€
Kamayombi made the remarks recently while appearing before the parliamentary committee on national economy with agriculture state minister Aggrey Bagiire to present the loan request.
Bagiire explained that the loan would be payable in 40 years with a grace period of 10 years at an interest rate of sh0.75% per annum.
Stressing the need to fight the disease, Bagiire reminded the MPs of the 1990-1995 famine in eastern Uganda, which arose from the African cassava mosaic virus. He said the Government spent $60m (about sh135b) annually to contain the disease.
“Cassava is a food security crop. Any threat to the crop spells disaster for the people and the economy.â€
Bagiire noted that the crop had latent commercial potential and was regarded as an excellent candidate for commercial exploitation.
He said northern Sudan–bound traders buy cassava crops before they are harvested, which has contributed to the escalating prices of fresh roots. “This development can escalate famine although it is a good opportunity for households recovering from conflict.â€