Basket of remedies revives ailing Ugandan banana industry. Validated RNRRS Output.

Abstract

This is one of 280 summaries describing key outputs from the projects run by DFID's 10-year Renewable Natural Resources Research Strategy (RNRRS) programmes.

Summary for Project title: R7567: Integrated management of banana diseases in Uganda and R7972: Integrated management of the banana weevil in Uganda.

In Uganda, worn-out soils, pests, diseases and social problems mean trouble for the banana industry. A basket of remedies is helping the industry get back on its feet—new varieties, manuring and mulching, biological controls for pests, and disease-free planting material. New varieties of banana are already being sold in Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania. Several agencies distribute clean plantlets produced by tissue culture to farmers in these countries, and in Burundi and D.R. Congo as well. Plus, in Uganda, a local laboratory has been set up that could produce 10 million plantlets a year. Consumers like the new varieties. Prices are rising and farmers are expanding their plantings to meet demand. So, Uganda has a great opportunity to supply bananas to urban and regional markets.

The CD has the following information for this output: Description, Validation, Current Situation, Current Promotion, Impacts On Poverty, Environmental Impact, Annex. Attached PDF (23 pp.) taken from the CD.

Citation

CPP54, New technologies, new processes, new policies: tried-and-tested and ready-to-use results from DFID-funded research, Research Into Use Programme, Aylesford, Kent, UK, ISBN 978-0-9552595-6-2, p 24.

Published 1 January 2007