GOVT CALLS FOR CONCERTED EFFORTS IN COMBATING CASSAVA BROWN STREAK DISEASE

By Juliet Makwama

Agriculture Minister Mtolo Phiri says the increased risk of the cassava brown streak disease spreading to parts of the country where it is not currently present needs concerted effort through scientifically proven solutions, to prevent the spread.
The cassava brown streak disease is currently affecting plants in Luapula, Northern, Northwestern and Western provinces.
Cassava is also grown in Eastern, Southern, Copperbelt and Lusaka provinces following increased demand for the crop because of its expanded usage.
Mr Phiri notes that annual demand for cassava flour in Zambia exceeds 1 million metric tons per year, as various companies have shown interest in using the crop for different things.
Mr Phiri was speaking this morning during a meeting with stakeholders to discuss clean cutting for mitigating cassava brown streak disease.
And the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International CABI Executive Director Noah Phiri says concerted effort is needed to mitigate the cassava brown streak disease as an estimated 30 percent of the national population depend on the crop.
And Chief Kaputa from Luapula Province, one of the areas heavily affected by the cassava brown streak disease says without a cure, there is need for experts to help with a solution as that will mitigate the revenue loss arising from this challenge.