April 5, 2013

Uganda affected by spread of corn disease

Uganda's food security is threatened by the spread of a corn disease, known as maize lethal necrosis, said plant-disease researcher, Centre for Agricultural Bioscience International (CABI).

The disease, which is caused by a double infection of the maize chlorotic mottle virus and the sugarcane mosaic virus, has been reported in eastern Uganda.

Uganda produces about 2.7 million tonnes of corn a year and exports the grain to South Sudan, Tanzania and Kenya. The disease's spread could have an impact on other countries, according to CABI. Maize lethal necrosis was found in Kenya's Rift Valley province in 2011 and 2012 and has also been observed in Tanzania, the researcher said.