West African states in common fight against root culture "Ebola" | Life

ABIDJAN (Ivory Coast), July 9 – Researchers 39 half a dozen West African states have fought together against what an expert calls a root-plant "Ebola" – a viral disease that could destroy the staple food of the region and condemning millions of people to hunger.

Their enemy: brown streak disease (CBSD) strikes cbadava, also called cbadava, which in some countries of the region is consumed by 80% of the population.

Root decay disease was discovered in Tanzania eight decades ago and is gradually shifting to the west. 19659005] "In homes in Central Africa, he has eliminated between 90 and 100 percent of cbadava production – he is now heading to West Africa," said the reporter. AFP Justin Pita, Head of the Research Program

. a very big threat. This must be taken very seriously. "

In Uganda, 3,000 people died of starvation in the 1990s after the onset of the dreaded disease, particularly striking small farmers.

" We can call it Ebola from cbadava "says Pita

The WAVE (West African Virus Epidemiology) project, a multi-million dollar program funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, aims to protect the region from increasing peril.

Based in Bingerville , On the outskirts of the Ivorian economic capital Abidjan, it brings together six countries from West Africa – Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria and Togo – as well as the Democratic Republic of

Much is already known about CBSD – it is generally believed that the virus is spread by an insect called silver leaf whitefly, as well as by cuttings taken from infected plants.

But there are still gaps in the knowledge these on the specific vulnerabilities of West Africa to the disease.

Understand the susceptibility of local cbadava strains to the virus and identify points in the cbadava trade that may help a localized CBSD epidemic to swell in an epidemic.

The program will also examine initiatives to help increase yield – a key challenge "The current average yield of cbadava (in West Africa) is 10 to 12 tonnes per hectare, but it could reach 40 tonnes per hectare, "said Odile Attanbado, Minister of Benin. "In Asia, they have yields of 22 tonnes per hectare."

"Attieke is our husband"

The WAVE Project hopes to go beyond

He also wants to harness the influence of community leaders and leaders to raise CBSD awareness and promote better agricultural practices, such as confining and destroying crops in infested areas and banning the transport of cbadava cutti. "We, kings and traditional chiefs, are the interface between the people and the government," said Amon Tanoe, the ceremonial monarch of the Grand Bbadam Coastal Region in Ivory Coast

. cbadava – the starchy root is typically pulped and fermented and served in an accompaniment dish called attieke

In Affery, a large cbadava producing region about 100 kilometers east of the economic capital Abidjan Attieke manufacturers said they were deeply worried. "Attieke is our husband," said Nathalie Monet Apo, head of the Attieke Farmers' Association, pointing out that the cbadava dish is closely linked to Ivorian life

"If the disease manifests itself , "

" They must find a cure for this disease – it is thanks to the cultivation of cbadava that I am able to provide an education to my four children, "said Blandine Yapo Sopi. She hoped that the cbadava harvested would bring him 450,000 CFA francs (RM 3,232) .- AFP