A viral disease, cassava brown streak disease, which has ravaged cassava plantations in the Southern Province, continues to spread unabated. Farmers in Kamonyi and Ruhango districts have suffered the most with the disease destroying hundreds of hectares of the crop, according to Rwanda Agriculture Board (Rab).

Rab says the disease has affected production with both farmers and a local cassava processing plant wary of potential shortage. This situation calls for an urgent and decisive remedy as it threatens gains made in improving crop production and ensuring food security in the country.

Rab may be trying its best but more needs to be done and now. They need to urgently avail safe cassava cuttings for immediate planting as well advise on the best alternative crops, and help avail expertise to check the disease. All stakeholders need to quickly help tame the disease. Because cassava is a staple food in the country, an attack of the crop threatens livelihoods and could ultimately have dire consequences on the economy.

While access to improved and disease free or resistant crop varieties should remain a top priority, farmers must also be trained to observe the best agronomical practices at all times. It’s also important to eliminate varieties that are susceptible to disease. Besides sensitisation of farmers, involvement of local leaders should be a major component in the fight against the disease.

Farmers and the general public need to know how cassava brown streak disease spreads and how best they can help contain it. From the Agriculture ministry and Rab and other agriculture related agencies to local governments, civil society, farmers and media, it’s important that all actors work closely to ensure food security across the country.