Banana Bunchy Top Disease Archives

Dr Lilian Nkengla-Asi (Middle), after a brief introductiory discussion on gender research with men and women banana farmers in Idologun community/study site.

Understanding the gender dimensions of the spread of banana diseases in Nigerian communities

Seeds are essential agricultural inputs in food production, biodiversity conservation, and overall crop yield. However, seeds can carry plant pathogens and serve as vehicles for pathogen spread, naturally and through formal and informal seed distribution, from one season to the next, and within and between geographies. The global spread of the banana bunchy top virus…

An RTB innovation: Disease mapping and surveillance made easier through an AI-powered smartphone app and drone/satellite image analysis

An RTB innovation: Disease mapping and surveillance made easier through AI-powered app and drone/satellite image analysis

Disease surveillance and mapping have, for a long time, heavily relied on in-person field surveys by knowledgeable staff. However, this approach has been limited by its high cost, often limited human capacity, and difficulty accessing more remote locations. In addition, the inability of farmers and sometimes local extension staff to rightly identify and or differentiate…

Picture of President Olasegun Obasanjo (left) talking to Lava Kumar (right) about efforts to contain banana bunchy top.

IITA launches campaign to stop BBTD in Nigeria

The ‘Stop Bunchy Top’ campaign to prevent the spread of the Banana Bunchy Top Disease (BBTD) in Nigeria was launched by IITA in partnership with the Nigerian Agriculture Quarantine Service (NAQS), National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), and the Ogun State Ministry of Agriculture on 3 December, in Abeokuta, Ogun State. This campaign seeks to sensitize…