By Adam Said Adam, Kano
Nigerian farmers and stakeholders in agriculture have been enjoined to adopt holistic surveillance and preventive measures to protect their cassava farms, among other crops, from being infected by viral diseases.
This follows the emergence of a devastating form of Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD) caused by the Ugandan variant of East African Cassava Mosaic Virus (EACMV-Ug) in some countries in West Africa, and the prevalence of Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD) in East Africa.
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The farmers were so alerted by the South-South/South-East Country Director of the Central and West Africa Virus Epidemiology (WAVE) Project, Dr. Chukwuemeka Nkere during a One Day Farmers’ Field Day on Cassava Virus on Disease identification and Management Organized by WAVE in collaboration with BIORISKS, Council For Agricultural Research and Development ( CORAF ) and National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI) Umudike, Abia State , which was held on Wednesday at the Abia State Agricultural Development Programme ( ADP ) Office, in Umuahia, Abia State capital.
The Field Day featured lectures, discussions, and demonstrations that centred on best agronomic practices for Cassava production, disease symptoms identification, and use of disease-free planting materials.
Dr. Nkere cautioned that although these two cassava viral diseases are not yet in Nigeria, they could still emerge at any time.
According to WAVE Country Director Dr. Nkere, “Viruses don’t require visa to enter any country, the essence of the farmer field day was to create awareness and educate farmers on steps they should adopt to protect their farms from the diseases in case of any outbreak”.
He warned that if not properly prevented, the Cassava Mosaic Disease, especially those that are caused by the Ugandan Variant (EACMV-Ug), and the Cassava Brown Streak Diseases, their emergence can lead to 100% Cassava yield loss of over $2 billion US dollars annually.
He consequently advised farmers to always use virus-free material, source their planting materials from Certified Seed producers, and use recommended improved and resistant varieties to reduce or control the cassava diseases.
He commended the Abia State Government and the state Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) for their commitment to agricultural extension and grassroots farmer engagement, describing the partnership as critical to the successful implementation of disease prevention and management interventions.
Dr Nkere further emphasized that sustained collaboration among all stakeholders in cassava value chain namely; researchers, policymakers, extension workers, NPPOs and farmers, is essential to protecting cassava production and strengthening food security across the region.
Dr Nkere re-stated WAVE’s commitment to continuous nationwide stakeholder monitoring, advocacy for an efficient early warning system, and the development of a decision support system for rapid response to any disease incursions
The state ADP Manager Mr. Okoro Nleanya, who declared the Field Day event open, described Cassava as one of Africa’s most important food security crops and a major source of livelihood for millions of smallholder farmers
He commended the WAVE and co-organizers of the programme for partnering with Abia ADP in bringing the intervention closer to grassroots farmers, noting that such collaborations are essential for improving agricultural productivity and strengthening food security.
According to the ADP Manager, the State Government’s continued support for agricultural extension services and farmer empowerment initiatives have been very impactful in the state.
