Bacterial wilt commonly known as Kirabiranya is threatening banana production in most districts of Eastern Province leading to scarcity of banana products throughout the region.
IGIHE reporter witnessed the scarcity of banana products while visiting the market of Kiramuruzi located in Gatsibo District.
Speaking to media, residents said Local Authorities have banned them from taking bananas to market to reduce the spread of the banana disease which is spreading very quickly especially in Gatsibo District.
The same situation is reported in Ntunga maket of Rwamagana District as well as Rwagitima Market where residents confirmed that since last week they were asked not to sell banana crops.
Several banana plantations affected in Gatsibo are being cut down in a bid to contain the quick spread of the disease.
However, the Mayor of Rwamagana told IGIHE that the District has not banned local residents from selling their produce despite the prevalence of the disease in the region.
“We don’t pose bans to residents from selling their banana produce; only MINAGRI has right to ban them to check the spread of the desease and what the District does is to implement the decision” the Mayor said.
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