17 October 2007
Zurah Nakabugo — A new system of planting bananas, after cutting off all the roots can resist the weevils from attacking the plant. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (Fao) has introduced the new system in Western Uganda to destroy the banana weevils.
Fao trains these farmers in different ways of controlling and destroying the banana weevils through the farmers' field schools in Mbarara District. The schools were started in March to increase banana yields by fighting weevils. "In order to destroy the banana weevils, you plant a young stem after cutting off all its roots where weevils hide. Then chop the roots and the affected stems into small pieces to destroy the eggs and the lavae of the weevils," said Mr Joshua Himbisa, the agriculture officer in Ndeija sub-county, Mbarara District.
Mr Himbisa said farmers could eliminate the weevils by cutting the old stem and leaving it exposed to the sun. They should then spread the ash on the cuttings to create an acid solution which when mixed with water destroys the weevil.
Relief
Banana weevils have destroyed many banana plantations in western Uganda in a period of 10 years. The Fao Programme Assistant, Ms Beatrice Okello, said they have sponsored the facilitator to train the farmers in several districts to improve banana production in the country, which has declined.
According to Mr John Magambo, the secretary general Ihena Farmers' Field Schools, the farmers are trained in groups of 30 in controlling pests and diseases which have almost destroyed all banana plantations in the region.
They are also trained on how to look after their banana plantations by planting water reserves, increasing soil fertility and saving money. "We train weekly and each member contributes Shs2,500 which we collect and give one member Shs50,000 for banana plantation development and other developments like paying school fees," Mr Magambo said. "I can now harvest 15 bunches of matooke (bananas) every month and sell them which was not the case before," Ms Jane Ketishenje, one of the beneficiaries from Kibumba Farmers' Field School said.
"All my plantations used to be destroyed by banana weevils because I didn't know how to control them. But I have got knowledge from Fao and I am capable of controlling these pests."
After the training, the farmers in Mbarara District have started harvesting bigger bunches of bananas with over 15 clusters. They however said they want to open up field schools but lack money.
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