Nigerian farmers and agricultural stakeholders have been urged to strengthen disease surveillance and adopt preventive measures to protect cassava farms from emerging viral threats. The warning follows reports of a severe strain of Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD) spreading in parts of West Africa and the continued presence of Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD) in East Africa.
Speaking at a Farmers’ Field Day in Umuahia, Abia State, the South-South/South-East Country Director of the WAVE Project, Dr. Chukwuemeka Nkere, emphasized the need for farmers to identify disease symptoms early and use certified disease-free planting materials. The programme focused on improving farm productivity and reducing crop losses.
Nkere warned that although the diseases have not been recorded in Nigeria, they could enter the country at any time. He noted that an outbreak could lead to total cassava yield losses and cost the economy more than $2 billion annually, threatening food security and the cassava value chain.
