Banana production has been main source of income to Christopher Okwiri and other farmers in Western Kenya. But the investment faces a bleak future following an outbreak of a disease that is threatening to wipe out the crop.
The attack by Xanthomonas wilt has resulted in drying up of several hectares of young banana plantations, causing farmers to incur heavy losses.“The disease has impacted negatively on our main source of income and food security. Several hectares of banana plantation are likely to be wiped out unless researchers come out with proper management practices on how to protect the plant from the infections,” appeals Mr Okwiri.
His five-acre farm in Teso district has been generating an average of Sh12,000 a month from the banana plantation.A team from Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (Kephis) recently toured areas affected by the disease and took samples for analysis.
Source: nation.co.ke
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