Disease killing cocoyam farming in Katsina

Cocoyam farming in Katsina State is gradually being phased out as agricultural research institutes are yet to provide the farmers with a solution to the leaf blighted disease affecting the crop for about five years now. In the last two decades, Katsina State, particularly its southern part was a major producer of cocoyam in commercial […]

Cocoyam farming in Katsina State is gradually being phased out as agricultural research institutes are yet to provide the farmers with a solution to the leaf blighted disease affecting the crop for about five years now.
In the last two decades, Katsina State, particularly its southern part was a major producer of cocoyam in commercial quantity which is transported to the famous Illela international market in Sokoto, north-eastern states and Niger Republic.
A farmer in Dankawo village, Funtua, Malam Abdulsalam Umar, said with the growing devastation of the leaf blighted disease on cocoyam, many farmers have since switched to potato, soyabeans and maize farming.
“We can no longer continue with cocoyam farming even though it was yielding us huge profit; this is because for over five years now, we are yet to find a lasting solution to the leaf blighted disease affecting the crop. We have tried numerous agro-solutions all in vain,” he said
He stressed the need for agricultural institutions to come up with new improved seedlings of cocoyam and a reliable solution to the disease threatening it if its cultivation is to be revived.
An agricultural expert and agro-allied product dealer in Dandume, Alhaji Murnai Bara’u, said the leaf blighted disease is fungi related called phytophthora colocasiae and caused by oomycete that can be managed with appropriate systemic or non-systemic fungicides where available.
“Resistant variety seedling is the most effective method of controlling the disease. If the plants become infected, symptomatic leaves should be removed and destroyed to reduce the level of its spread to the tubers. Similarly, cocoyam should be planted in well-draining soils,” Murnai advised.
Daily Trust discovered that the cocoyam sections of Funtua, Danja and Bakori markets are now dominated with potatoes, yam and cereals with a few bags of cocoyam already affected by the disease.