Rooting for Relief
i.new IITA
 Underground
and obscure, the signs of a virus attacking cassava plants in East Africa often
go unnoticed by farmers until harvest, when they dig up rotten roots.
IITA scientists know it’s cassava brown streak virus that’s destroying
this vital food crop, and farmers may see blotchy leaves and stems streaked with
brown. But beyond that, both know little about the disease.
To unearth solutions to this problem, which is causing cassava losses of more
than US$100 million annually, IITA is seeking US$8 million in funding for a
5-year project. It includes plans to study the disease in depth, develop and
distribute disease-resistant cassava varieties to farmers, and share with them
ways to manage the problem.
“This disease has been around for a long while but has been grossly
neglected. Our new plans are ambitious but appropriate for a problem that
affects the livelihoods of millions of people,” said IITA virologist and
entomologist, Dr. James Legg.
The disease was first described in East Africa more than 70 years ago, but
the virus was only identified in 2001. To cassava farmers, its effects are clear
as day, especially in coastal East Africa, where the disease is most
devastating.
The full magnitude was only realized after peace came to Mozambique, where
swathes of destroyed cassava were recently discovered. Cassava in Malawi, the
Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Republic of Congo is also damaged by brown
streak.
Working in cooperation with scientists from affected countries and the UK’s
Natural Resources Institute, IITA scientists plan to monitor the occurrence and
effects of the disease and the steps taken by farmers to control them.
Using conventional breeding and genetic engineering, the scientists plan to
develop resistant varieties within the first 3 years. These can then be quickly
mass-multiplied and distributed to farmers.
The proposal also includes researching sustainable ways to manage the disease
that fit with the farmers’ traditional practices and conserve soil fertility.
This is the strategy IITA scientists have planned to bring relief for what is
fast becoming a widespread problem for farmers in sub-Saharan Africa.
More Information:
I.new, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, IITA. www.iita.org
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