Bacterial leaf blight on maize in Uganda

Farmers engaged in maize growing in Tororo District [Eastern Region] are counting losses over reported outbreaks of a maize disease. The district agricultural officer said that the bacterial leaf blight and stalk rot (Pseudomonas avenae) disease has affected farmers mainly in areas along River Malaba and in the eastern parts of the district.
 
The development could expose the entire district to food shortages since the area is one of the major food baskets. "Most maize is drying up just when the grains start to develop. It is unfortunate that farmers took long to report to their extension workers, who would have sought a solution," he said.
 
He said the team is yet to go to the fields to assess the situation and come up with a report to accompany the samples that will be sent to the Ministry of Agriculture for research. The study would identify the disease and advise the authorities on the intervention. However, he urged farmers to suspend growing maize where the disease had been reported for at least 3 years.