By Umar Nsubuga
Deborah Nabatanzi, a resident village of Kangave, in Makulubita sub-county, Luwero district has gained attention for her remarkable efforts in managing banana diseases.
With her years of experience and guidance from agronomist Henry Sekyewa, Nabatanzi has successfully battled several banana ailments.
Apple bananas, also known as “ndiizi” in the local dialect, are a delicate crop that requires careful management to thrive.
Diseases such as panama disease, black Sigatoka, and bacterial wilt often wreak havoc on banana plantations, leading to significant losses if not properly addressed.
“One of the most important things I have learned is to always start with clean planting materials,” explains Nabatanzi.
“When I began farming, I used to pick suckers from anywhere, but Sekyewa taught me the importance of using certified, disease-free suckers to prevent contamination right from the beginning.”
Sekyewa, an experienced agronomist who has worked closely with banana farmers in Luwero district, emphasises the significance of soil health.
“Bananas thrive in well-drained, nutrient-rich soils,” he says.
“Farmers need to test their soils regularly to ensure the right pH levels and nutrient composition. Adding organic matter, such as compost, and mulching helps retain soil moisture and control weeds, which reduces the spread of diseases.”
Sekyewa advises farmers to practice crop rotation and intercropping.
“Rotating bananas with crops such as beans or groundnuts can help break the cycle of pests and diseases,” he notes. “Also, planting nitrogen-fixing crops improves soil fertility.”
Nabatanzi has taken this advice to heart, rotating her bananas with beans, which has helped improve yields while keeping diseases at bay.
“Crop rotation reduces disease pressure. Since I started doing this, I’ve noticed healthier plants and fewer incidences of fungal infections,” she says.
When it comes to pest and disease control, both Nabatanzi and Sekyewa stress the importance of early detection.
“Regular monitoring of the plants is crucial,” Sekyewa explains.
“Farmers need to be on the lookout for symptoms such as yellowing leaves, wilting, and black spots on the stems or leaves. The earlier you identify an issue, the easier it is to control before it spreads to the entire plantation.”
Nabatanzi recalls how bacterial wilt almost wiped out her plantation in 2018.
“It started with one plant, and before I knew it, it had spread to others,” she says.
“But with Sekyewa’s help, I learned how to manage it by immediately removing infected plants and disinfecting tools to avoid spreading the bacteria.”
Sekyewa underscores the importance of good farm hygiene.
“Farmers should always clean their tools after working on infected plants. If not, they could unknowingly spread diseases throughout the farm,” he advises.
“Also, controlling the movement of animals like goats and cows, which can carry diseases from one plant to another, is vital.”
Nabatanzi has also adopted pruning and proper spacing between banana plants as a disease prevention measure.
“By ensuring my banana plants are well-spaced, I improve air circulation, which reduces the spread of fungal diseases like black Sigatoka. Pruning old and infected leaves helps keep the plants healthy.”
