Government has been urged to act sternly as more than 40,000 acres of maize fields affected by deadly virus according to the Agricultural sector players in the country.
Agriculture players in the country on Thursday 30th August called on the government to take immediate action to avert further and future destruction of maize crop in the country following invasion by a maize virus. Photo/ Courtesy
The virus identified as Maize Lethal Necrosis (MLN) disease has destroyed approximately 40,000 acres of maize across the country.
Speaking during a conference organized by Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in Africa (OFAB) at Lillian Towers in Nairobi, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) Virologist Dr Anne Wangai said that MLN disease had destroyed large portions of maize spread across various parts in Kenya.
“In September 2011, the disease (MLN)was first reported in in the lower parts of Longisa division of Bomet District, in February 2012, it was noted in Bomet Central division, spreading into neighbouring Chepalungu District, Narok North & South Districts, Naivasha.” Dr Wangai said.
She continued: “by April 2012, the disease had spread into Sotik,, Koinon, Transmara, Rumuruti, Kisii, Bureti, Kericho, Mathira East, Imenti South and Embu, the rate of transmission is worrying thus the Agriculture Ministry should act immediately.”
According to Dr Wangai, the disease within seven months the MLN disease has been able to spread from the South Rift area to other parts of the country among them western, Eastern Central and Nyanza regions.
She called on the government to put up measures to curb further spread, she recommended that government should establish maize closed season in all regions, quarantine on movement of maize materials from affected areas, and removal from fields all infected maize crop.
Dr Wangai further urged the government to develop resistant crops and Conducting tests to verify seed transmission of viruses.
“The government should consider Screening of released maize varieties for resistance, inclusion of MLND resistance in maize improvement programs, conducting tests to verify seed transmission of viruses in local cultivars and identify alternate hosts of viruses and vectors” she said.
The group comprised of officials from Agriculture Ministry, OFAB, KARI and KEPHIS (Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service) settled on the essential to create awareness among farmers on the need to plant alternative crops such as potatoes, cassava and vegetables.
They said there is need for the government through Agriculture ministry to form a task force charged with providing information to farmers.
BY SAMMY MBURU
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