The Central and West African Virus Epidemiology for Root and Tuber Crops (WAVE) has launched a sensitisation campaign for cassava farmers in Kebbi State amid growing concerns over the potential spread of a highly destructive cassava mosaic virus into Nigeria.
The awareness programme, held in Tungar Noma community of Argungu Local Government Area, was aimed at educating farmers on emerging cassava diseases that could severely impact production, threaten livelihood and undermine food security across the country.
Speaking during the campaign, Ibrahim Umar said the initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen disease surveillance, early detection and response systems among cassava-producing communities.
According to him, WAVE in collaboration with Abdullahi Fodio University of Science and Technology has established six demonstration plots across the North-West and North-East regions to improve cassava productivity and enhance farmers ability to identify disease symptoms at an early stage.
Umar explained that while cassava mosaic disease is already present in Nigeria several more aggressive variants affecting cassava crops across Africa are gradually advancing towards West Africa.
He identified the East African Cassava Mosaic Disease as one of the most dangerous strains warning that infected farms could experience total crop failure if adequate preventive measures are not taken.
“The disease has already been reported in some West African countries though it has not yet been detected in Nigeria” he stated.
The WAVE director noted that Nigeria’s status as the world’s largest cassava producer makes the country particularly vulnerable to serious economic and food security consequences should the virus eventually spread into local farming communities.
He explained that the sensitisation campaign is designed to encourage farmers to play an active role in disease monitoring by promptly reporting unusual symptoms observed on cassava plants.
As part of the programme, farmers received informational flyers containing photographs of disease symptoms and contact details for rapid reporting and technical support.
Umar disclosed that the initiative has already begun yielding positive results with several farmers contacting the organisation after observing suspicious symptoms on their farms.
He stressed that early detection, rapid reporting and immediate intervention remain the most effective strategies for preventing the introduction and spread of the virus into Nigeria’s cassava-producing regions.
Stakeholders at the event noted that strengthening farmer awareness and surveillance systems is critical to protecting Nigeria’s cassava industry which supports millions of farmers and serves as a major contributor to food security, rural livelihoods and agro-industrial development.
They expressed optimism that continued collaboration among researchers, agricultural institutions, extension workers and farming communities would enhance preparedness and safeguard cassava production against emerging disease threats.
