Disease threatens world’s bananas, UN says…wants countries to step up action against it

FAO said in a report that ‘the TR4 race of the disease,  also known as Panama disease, poses a serious threat to production and export of the popular fruit, with serious repercussions for the banana value chain and livelihoods.’ Banana, which is the fourth most important food crop for the world’s least developed countries and […]

FAO said in a report that ‘the TR4 race of the disease,  also known as Panama disease, poses a serious threat to production and export of the popular fruit, with serious repercussions for the banana value chain and livelihoods.’
Banana, which is the fourth most important food crop for the world’s least developed countries and a key revenue source for poor farmers, is facing a serious threat  in terms of  production and export”, FAO said.
“The spread of Fusarium wilt could have a significant impact on growers, traders and families who depend on the banana industry,” the report says.
Banana is the eighth most important food crop in the world and the fourth most important food crop among the world’s least-developed countries, according to the UN agency’s data-gathering and analysis service.
Any disease or constraint that affects bananas is striking at an important source of food, livelihoods, employment and government revenues in many tropical countries,” it said.
The Rome based organisation warned that, so far, there is no cure for TR4 disease, saying farmers should take proactive to contain the disease.