Fresh hope grows for Malawi banana farmers after virus attack

MALAWI – Banana farmers in Malawi are starting to rebuild their lives after enduring a decade of hardship caused by the banana bunchy top virus (BBTV).

This virus devastated local banana varieties, leading to significant economic losses for farmers across the country.

The Africa’s Banana Bunchy Top Disease Alliance reports that BBTV has affected up to 16 countries in Africa, resulting in yield losses of 70% to 90% during the first season and complete crop failure in subsequent seasons.

Agriculture experts in Malawi noted that by 2016, the virus had destroyed the livelihoods of nearly 200,000 farmers who relied solely on banana farming.

Samson Mulenga, a farmer from Mulanje district, shared his experience of devastation caused by the virus. “The disease wiped out my entire banana production and left me destitute,” he explained.

As a retired agriculture extension coordinator, Mulenga had to shift to alternative crops like cow peas, vegetables, and cassava, but none of these alternatives matched the income he earned from bananas.

Despite the challenges, Mulenga sees a glimmer of hope. “The situation is slowly returning to normal thanks to collaborative programs between the U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization and the Malawi government aimed at reviving the banana industry,” he said.

Godfrey Kayira, a horticulture specialist with the Ministry of Agriculture in Mulanje, explained the steps being taken under the Special Agricultural Product and Kulima programs.

Farmers are encouraged to remove all infected banana plants and replace them with BBTV-free varieties. However, he cautioned that these new varieties are also at risk of disease. “The only way is to manage the disease,” he said, emphasizing the importance of training for farmers to help them control potential outbreaks.

To prevent further spread of BBTV, farmers learned to plant the new banana varieties at least 100 meters away from existing banana plantations.

Infected plants must be uprooted and burned to prevent the disease from spreading. “If the varieties are left unmanaged, they can also get affected by the disease and die,” Kayira added.

While farmers make strides toward recovery, they face significant challenges, particularly from the influx of imported bananas from Tanzania and Mozambique.

These imports, while cheaper, often lack the quality of locally produced bananas. Kayira pointed out, “The bananas from Mulanje are of good quality compared to those from Mozambique. As a result, the price of our bananas is much higher than those imported.”

Mozambique has a thriving banana industry, with an annual output of around 500,000 tons, mainly produced by the family sector.

Despite challenges like Panama Disease and BBTV, Mozambique aims to increase production to 800,000 tons by 2025. The Bananalândia Group has opened a new processing unit in Maputo, enhancing Mozambique’s export capabilities.

This creates tough competition for Malawian farmers, who hope to regain their market share as local production improves.

With continued support and effective management practices, farmers hope to see a return to the prosperity that banana farming once brought to their communities.