Collaborative effort saves Ukerewe’s bananas from BBTV threat

Banana farmers on Ukerewe Island, Tanzania, faced disaster when banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) swept through, wiping out over 90% of the crop and threatening the island’s main food and income source. For this remote community, bananas are a staple food and a lifeline. As livelihoods were threatened, a partnership between scientists, local leaders, and farmers emerged to restore hope. BBTV, which causes banana bunchy top disease (BBTD), spreads through infected planting material and the aphid vector. BBTV was first officially reported in Tanzania in 2020, and by 2023, the virus had spread to 12 regions, with Ukerewe District among the hardest hit. Most farmers were unaware of the disease and unknowingly used infected suckers, fueling the outbreak. As infection rates soared, harvests plummeted, leaving many households food insecure. In response, IITA–CGIAR, Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority (TPHPA), and Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) collaborated with local authorities. Their first move was to remove infected plants and give farmers access to healthy, virus-free banana plantlets. In November 2024, a macropropagation unit was established, with the capacity to produce 6,000 disease-free banana planting materials. The facility has so far produced 2,950 disease-free plantlets across five banana varieties: Inshakara, Nyoya, TARIBAN 2, TARIBAN 4, and FHIA 17. Plantlets were distributed to farmers, with each recipient receiving between 10 and 100 plants depending on farm size. Within months, positive results are becoming visible. Fields replanted with clean plantlets have begun to recover, with healthy banana plants returning to the landscape. Although a few new infections occurred, mostly due to aphids, most farms remained disease-free thanks to improved field hygiene and regular training for farmers. “We are seeing real benefits of using disease-free banana plantlets,” said Dr George Mahuku, IITA Plant Pathologist. “Working together and using clean planting material is what is making the difference.” Farmers like Sospeter Mgaya expressed renewed hope, noting bigger bunches and healthier crops than he thought possible after the outbreak. Mgaya also called on local authorities to enact bylaws supporting the removal of infected plants and to allocate resources for herbicides, ensuring the gains are sustained. The control strategy focuses on eradicating infected mats (clumps of shoots from a banana plant’s base) by uprooting them or injecting herbicide, then replanting with virus-free material. This approach, coupled with continuous farmer education, has been key to recovery. The awareness campaign, led by IITA and partners, also emphasized the importance of roguing infected plants and eliminating volunteer plants that can harbor the virus. “BBTD spread in Ukerewe is a classic case of disease expansion through the movement of infected planting materials. Building farmer awareness of BBTD is a critical first step toward managing the disease and restoring banana production,” said Dr Lava Kumar, IITA Virologist. Despite progress, persistent challenges remain: the ongoing risk of reintroduction of infected suckers from neighboring areas, a limited supply of clean planting material, and inconsistent application of recommended management practices. Hamady Lyimo of TPHPA stressed the need for widespread coordinated action. “Sustained and widespread adoption across the community is essential for successful disease eradication,” he said. District Executive Director Vincent Augustine Mbua reaffirmed the commitment of local government and stakeholders to rebuild a resilient banana sector. The mission emphasizes maintaining momentum by strengthening disease surveillance, expanding clean seed distribution, and continuing farmer education. Ukerewe’s experience demonstrates that with collaboration and determination, even the most devastating plant diseases can be overcome. Contributed by George Mahuku, Gloriana Ndibalema, Fatuma Musa, and Lava Kumar