The Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service, alongside other agricultural entities, is actively working to avert the infiltration of Fusarium TR4, a soil-borne fungus threatening banana crops globally. Recognized for its potential to obliterate entire banana yields, the concern for Kenya is heightened given the crop's significance for both sustenance and economic purposes. The exercise, a first in Africa, aimed at bolstering emergency preparedness for pest risks among Comesa countries, with emphasis on the non-technical feasibility of eradicating Fusarium TR4, thus prioritizing prevention and exclusion strategies. Despite the disease's absence in Kenya, its presence in nearby Comoros and Mozambique raises concerns over potential spread, exacerbated by global trade. The simulation underscored the critical role of phytosanitary measures in maintaining agricultural integrity and food security within Kenya.

Source: The Star May 24, 2024 12:58 UTC