- Bananas are the world's most exported fruit according to the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service
- They account for Sh1.3 trillion (USD 10 billion) in global trade every year
Image: SOLOMON MUINGI
Kenya is stepping up efforts to prevent the spread of Fusarium TR4, a devastating banana pest that can wipe out 100 percent of crops.
The Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service and other agricultural authorities are on high alert to protect the country's banana production.
Bananas are the world's most exported fruit, generating $10 billion in global trade annually.
The soil-borne fungus poses a significant threat to global banana production.
In Kenya, bananas are a crucial crop for both food and income, making the threat of Fusarium TR4 particularly concerning.
Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Rono emphasised the critical nature of this during the International Plant Protection Convention simulation exercise on Fusarium TR4 at Kephis headquarters.
"We cannot afford to be relaxed when we face a pest that can cause up to 100 per cent yield loss in areas of infestation," the PS said.
Kenya's tropical climate makes it particularly vulnerable to pests, a problem exacerbated by climate change.
"Cross-boundary transfer of pests and diseases, disruptive human activities, and climate change have devastating impacts on agriculture, biodiversity, and international trade."
“Limited funding for research and phytosanitary controls, inadequate human resources, and porous borders increase Kenya's vulnerability to new pests and diseases. These challenges hinder the regulatory capacities needed to ensure food security and safety,” Rono said.
This was the first simulation exercise in Africa aimed at building emergency preparedness capacity for managing pest risks among Comesa countries.
Hamisi Williams, deputy representative of Fao Kenya, said the fungus is identified as a priority pest for Comesa countries.
The pathogen spreads through various pathways, including international trade, making prevention essential.
"Due to the biological nature of the fungus and its reproductive structures, eradicating Fusarium TR4 is not technically feasible," Williams explained.
"Therefore, exclusion remains the primary approach to maintaining its absence, and prevention measures are crucial in delaying its introduction into new territories,” he added.
The disease has not yet been reported in Kenya but has been detected in the Comoros and Mozambique.
Theophilus Mutui, Managing Director of Kephis, said globalisation and trade liberalisation increase the risk of pest introduction.
Kenya is already grappling with banana pests and would be severely impacted if Fusarium TR4 were introduced.
"This is why we take this simulation activity very seriously. The lessons we learn will be applied to other pests of concern as advised by existing pest forecasting mechanisms,” he added.
Mutui stressed the importance of phytosanitary measures (actions taken to control plant diseases especially in agricultural crops) to protect Kenya's economy and food security.
"The banana crop is extensively cultivated as a staple food and income-generating activity by many local communities," Mutui said.
The training aims to enhance existing regulatory control systems, including testing banana planting material for Fusarium TR4 before importation and monitoring it in quarantine status.
"We further monitor the material in quarantine status and additionally test where necessary."
Through these proactive measures, Kenya aims to safeguard its banana industry from the devastating impacts of Fusarium TR4, ensuring the continued production and trade of this vital crop.