Bananas are a crucial crop for food security and income in East Africa, with Uganda and Tanzania being the leading producers. The region, known for its rich banana diversity, plays a key role in global banana conservation. However, banana production faces several challenges, particularly from pests and diseases. These biotic threats include Banana Bacterial Wilt, Black and Yellow Sigatoka, Weevils, and Nematodes, which hinder productivity. Recent years have seen the emergence of new pests and diseases, such as Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV), Banana Rust Thrip, and Fusarium Wilt (Tropical Race 4), further complicating efforts to secure the banana industry.
In response to these growing threats, the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA) has initiated the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP-XP4) project. This initiative focuses on building the capacity of stakeholders in the East African Community (EAC) to address the challenges posed by emerging banana pests. In December 2024, ASARECA organized a regional workshop in Nairobi, bringing together experts from the EAC countries Burundi, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Somalia, and South Sudan. The workshop aimed to enhance preparedness and response strategies for managing new and emerging pest threats to banana production.
The workshop’s objectives included reviewing current pest management strategies, developing country-specific action plans for pest control, and disseminating pest risk analysis reports to support trade in bananas. Experts also showcased best practices and innovations in pest management, fostering greater collaboration and coordination among stakeholders across the banana value chain.
Dr. Sylvester Baguma, the Interim Executive Director of ASARECA, emphasized the importance of regional cooperation in tackling the challenges facing the banana industry. He highlighted that the threat of emerging pests transcends national borders and requires a collective response from all EAC countries. The workshop served as a platform for experts to share knowledge, discuss advances in pest management, and explore strategies for containing the spread of banana pests.
Dr. Zachary Kinyua, Assistant Director of Crop Health Research at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), also addressed the participants. He stressed the need for timely and coordinated action to prevent the spread of pests across borders. Kinyua noted that the movement of people and goods within the region could unintentionally facilitate the introduction of pests, making it essential to act swiftly to prevent their spread and minimize the environmental impact of pest management efforts.
The workshop also focused on the importance of early detection and rapid response to emerging pests. Once a pest is introduced into a new area, it can quickly reach epidemic levels, causing severe losses to crops, pastures, and forests. Therefore, preventing the introduction of pests and acting quickly when they are detected is critical to safeguarding food security and the livelihoods of farmers.
The EAC’s collective effort to combat banana pests and diseases is vital not only for the region’s agricultural sustainability but also for ensuring food and nutrition security. By fostering regional collaboration, sharing knowledge, and developing effective pest management strategies, the EAC aims to strengthen the resilience of the banana industry and ensure its long-term viability in the face of growing pest threats.
