An expert in crop protection Dr. Patrick Chikoti has revealed that a cassava virus called cassava brown streak virus has affected most of the cassava crops in Luapula and Northern province of Zambia.
Cassava is the second most grown and most consumed crop in Zambia with 30% of the country’s population depend on it.
Speaking at a media training in Lusaka’s Chilanga district, Dr. Chikoti stated that cassava brown streak disease CSBD is a disease for cassava and indigenous to Africa.
He further explained that cassava is mainly affected by two viruses “cassava brown streak disease and Uganda cassava brown streak disease” whose symptoms are vein chlorosis, streak on stems, root constriction and cassava root rot (hard rot).
The disease is highly transmitted by whiteflies inserts and human beings.
And speaking at the same event, Centre for Bioscience (CABI) Regional Representative Southern Africa Dr Noah Phiri represented by Dr. Sydney Phiri expressed worry about the damage that the CBSD does to the cassava plants, that includes the roots which are harvestable.
Dr. Sydney Phiri stated that the areas where the disease has hit hard is Northern District of Zambia where farmers are grappling with the negative impacts of the CBSD in their livelihood.
He advised that the media will be trained on some of the components of the full scope of CBSD and the damage they cause to Cassava so that they can report accurately to all stakeholders and stir the necessary action.
