Wilt disease devastates vegetables in Abera irrigation scheme

Gulu, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The wilt disease has destroyed several acres of vegetables in Abera Irrigation Scheme, Paibona sub county, Gulu district. The affected include okra, green pepper, tomatoes and dodo. Most of the vegetables had sprouted and were almost ready for harvest, but have been affected by the wilt disease which is caused by bacteria and fungi that enter the roots and stems of a plant and cause stunting, wilt and death by plugging the vascular system.

Beatrice Lakop who had planted over an acre of tomatoes at the scheme built by the Water and Environment Ministry to facilitate commercial farming among vulnerable households in Gulu district told URN that all her crops were destroyed by the disease. Lakop says that she was expecting to yield big from the sale of tomatoes and increase her income but all this has gone to waste.

Patrick Okello Mucana, another farmer says that he lost several acres of his leaf vegetables that have drooped and withered. Francis Latwe, an agronomist at the scheme says the vegetables were attacked by the wilt disease. He explains that the farmers grew crops which are not resistant to the disease.

Richard Sejjoba Odong, an agronomist at Agrithon in Gulu city explains that wilt is an underground disease that majorly manifests during warm weather. He advised farmers to open up their gardens early enough before planting crops in order to destroy cycles of the underground pests. Odong however says farmers can sprinkle their plants with ash and animal urine to protect them from pests.

Erick Ocan, the farmers chairperson is saddened by the wilt disease attack, saying the farmers had expected a bumper harvest but their hopes have faded.

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