Controlling banana Xanthomonas Wilt Disease in East Africa

Africa contributes about one-third of the global banana production. The Great Lakes region of Africa (GLA), including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is the largest banana-growing and consuming area with the most significant consumption at 220-460 kg per person annually. It provides 30%–60% of the daily per capita calorie intake in these countries. Bananas are considered primary energy sources for millions of people in East Africa. About 55% of the total cultivated area for bananas across Africa is in the GLA region(FAOSTAT, 2019). Apart from a staple food, banana also provides income for the smallholder farmers. Bananas are indigenous to tropical Indomalaya and Australia. Hundreds of varieties of bananas are cultivated and consumed globally. However, the Cavendish type of dessert banana is grown mainly by large-scale farmers for local and international markets. Additional dessert varieties such as Gros ...