Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
epidemic of CMD was first noticed in these districts in 1989 and coincided with an
unusually severe drought, which lasted five months and affected cassava and other
food crops. Food shortages ensued and there were many thefts of tuberous roots
from any surviving fields. The epidemic developed rapidly between July and
October 1990, and symptoms were very conspicuous. The predominant local
varieties were all very susceptible and severely damaged.
The first attempts to restore cassava production in West Nile were in 1991 and
they were funded by FAO. Many cuttings were introduced to the area from
unaffected districts of southern Uganda. However, the varieties used were not
sufficiently resistant to withstand infection and soon succumbed, as had occurred
earlier in Luwero. CMD-resistant varieties were then introduced and distributed by
several non-governmental organizations (Otim-Nape
et al.,
2000). The IITA
CMD-resistant variety TMS 30572 (released in Uganda as Nase 3 and also known
as Migyera or Nigeria) proved to be particularly well adapted to local conditions.
It is now widely grown and considerable use has also been made of varieties
obtained locally, or from neighbouring areas of DRC, which have at least some
degree of resistance to CMD. Production has continued and the effects of the
epidemic have been less severe than in many other districts where there is less
varietal diversity.
20.4.3 Kumi district
In 1991, attention turned to the Kumi district of eastern Uganda, which had been one
of the areas worst affected by the long period of civil unrest and insecurity. Much of
the population had been held in detention camps and normal agricultural activity
was impossible or badly disrupted. The situation had improved considerably by
1991, when the area again became accessible and rehabilitation and resettlement
projects were initiated by relief agencies. The main UK-funded OXFAM project
involved the distribution of fishing equipment, farm tools, seed and cuttings of
cassava. This had previously been the most important staple food crop and had been
grown widely for local consumption and for export to other areas.
The initial rehabilitation effort was greatly impeded by the epidemic of CMD
occurring in the area at the time. Initially, it was most damaging in the northern
counties, especially in the popular variety Ebwanateraka which predominated
throughout the district. Infection was least in counties to the south bordering the
relatively fertile high rainfall areas of Mbale district near Mt Elgon on the Kenya
border.
A striking feature of the detailed observations made near Kumi township in April
1991 was that the recently planted cuttings had been largely free of CMD, as
indicated by the complete absence of symptoms on the first-formed leaves.
Nevertheless, the youngest leaves of almost all plants showed conspicuous
symptoms of CMD, due to a sudden influx of whitefly-borne inoculum some weeks
previously. Whiteflies were exceptionally numerous in the area at the time and up to
60 adults were recorded per shoot tip.
