Farmers in Nkondo receive disease free and hursh climate resistant Banana Tissues
Banana is a staple food crop in the East African Great Lakes region (Burundi, Rwanda, northeastern DR Congo, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania). Because bananas are perennial and can be harvested year round, the crop is popular with smallholders.
However, since the 1970s, banana yields in the region are low and stagnating, largely due to pests and diseases and declining soil fertility ). Most small-scale banana growers plant new gardens with suckers from old plants, exacerbating pests and diseases. Moreover, suckers are bulky, making it slow to disseminate improved varieties.
In Eastern Uganda,specifically Busoga region,Tissue-cultured (TC) banana plantlets through the agriculture initiatives of Developing lives, livelihood and Nutrion uganda with funding from Tim foundation has been promoted.
The supply of banana tissues was done to day Sunday 30/3/2025 at NKONDO SUB COUNTY in Buyende Dstrict.While handing over the Banana tissues, the Agriculture Extension officer of DLLN Uganda , Mr.Wansadya Joshua Mbodhogo said “ that the tissue cultured bananas are Disease-Free, free from major diseases, which can significantly improve yields. Farmers can expect higher yields and better quality bananas,which will lead to better overall farming practices."
Isabirye Tom, one of the lead farmers said that “ I am very happy with the Projects of DLLN-UG which are fighting poverty and improving nutrition in Busoga and I am very sure that in a period of 9 months there will be a great change as far as food security and income generation is concerned.”
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