The Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) has invested Sh34 million to fight the Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease (MLND) that is affecting farmers in the country.
Luca Alinovi, FAO country representative, has said that the money will go into research and training of farmers.
“FAO has already trained some 320 trainers on the disease. They will in turn train 6,400 farmers across the country since the quick spread of the disease in the region could prove fatal if not addressed soon,” said Alinovi.
FAO head of crops and agriculture business Alessio Colussi admitted that the quantity of maize production in the country could be affected by the disease.
“There could be a maize shortage in the country if MLND is not quickly addressed,” he said.
The two were speaking during a two-day conference at Masada hotel where stakeholders in agricultural research expressed concern that the spread of the maize disease was proving to be a big challenge.
Ann Wangai, a chief scientist and plant neurologist at the Kenya Agriculture Research Institute (Kari), said MLND cases have been reported in Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and South Sudan.
Wangai revealed that the disease is also more severe this year in comparison to other years and that it differed according to seasons and regions with some areas being more severely affected than others.
“We have noted that the disease is quickly spreading within time and space, with cases being reported in Makueni. This is due to poor farming practices and mitigation of pests and diseases,” she said.
“We are encouraging farmers to uproot any infected plants to prevent the spread of the disease. The farmers should also observe good agricultural practices, including the use of certified seeds and fertilisers. And, we have begun breeding the right seeds for farmers,” she added.