A farmer from Aleisa in Upolu, Samoa has raised concerns over his dying banana crops.
Retired Congregational Christian Church of Samoa (CCCS) minister, Reverend Elekosi Viliamu told the Samoa Observer he had found that a fungal disease commonly found in bananas had spread across his banana crops.
The disease is called Panama disease, scientifically called Fusarium Wilt.
Rev. Viliamu said, “It’s been over a year now since his banana crops have suffered from this disease.”
He added that farmers have been waiting for an update from the Crops Division at the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries on a solution to prevent this disease from destroying another food source for families affected.
“We cannot improve the banana industry when this disease brings the industry down,” Rev. Viliamu added.
Almost all of his banana trees had fallen victim to the devastating disease.
According to researchers, the fusarium wilt, otherwise known as the Panama Disease, is a deadly fungal infection that attacks a banana plant from the roots up, clogging its vascular system so it cannot absorb water or nutrients, which ultimately starves and kills the plant.
An outbreak of Fusarium wilt in Samoa would be disastrous as banana crops are a staple for Samoan people, and is also another source of income for families around Samoa.
