The recent outbreak of Banana Batch Top Virus disease that broke out at Kapululila Irrigation Scheme in Chirundu district has compelled farmers to consider uprooting all the affected banana fields in the scheme.

It was recently reported that the entire 55 hectares of banana fields out of 89 hectares under cultivation at the Irrigation Scheme has been devastated by Banana Batch Top virus disease.

It is learnt that each farmer belonging to the irrigation scheme owns one hectare of banana field prompting fears among smallholder farmers of losing their only source of income.

Chirundu Acting Senior Agricultural Officer John KASUNKA says the banana disease has drastically reduced production in the Kapululila irrigation scheme.

Mr. KASUNKA says the only way viral disease can be addressed is by removing all the bananas in the scheme and planting new suckers.

This came to light when the Strengthening Climate Resilience of Agricultural Livelihoods in Agro-Ecological Regions I and II in Zambia (SCRALA) Project team and ministry of Agricultural Staff from Provincial Office toured the irrigation scheme.

And Juliet MUCHOCHOMA one of the affected farmers said all the farmers have pledged to remove all the bananas in the Kapululila Irrigation Scheme as they aim at addressing the situation.

Mrs. MUCHOCHOMA noted that farmers are prepared to plant new suckers of bananas as they are determined to have the viral disease controlled and contained.

Meanwhile Chrispin GOLONGA says farmers will engage themselves in gardening of high value crops such as vegetables, cucumbers, watermelons, among others as an alternative livelihood venture as they await banana suckers for planting.

Mr. GOLONGA adds that the farmers are still interested in banana production as there is market within Chirundu district from traders coming from Kafue and Lusaka.

The recent outbreak of Banana Batch Top Virus disease that broke out at Kapululila Irrigation Scheme in Chirundu district has compelled farmers to consider uprooting all the affected banana fields in the scheme.

It was recently reported that the entire 55 hectares of banana fields out of 89 hectares under cultivation at the Irrigation Scheme has been devastated by Banana Batch Top virus disease.

It is learnt that each farmer belonging to the irrigation scheme owns one hectare of banana field prompting fears among smallholder farmers of losing their only source of income.

Chirundu Acting Senior Agricultural Officer John KASUNKA says the banana disease has drastically reduced production in the Kapululila irrigation scheme.

Mr. KASUNKA says the only way viral disease can be addressed is by removing all the bananas in the scheme and planting new suckers..

This came to light when the Strengthening Climate Resilience of Agricultural Livelihoods in Agro-Ecological Regions I and II in Zambia (SCRALA) Project team and ministry of Agricultural Staff from Provincial Office toured the irrigation scheme.

And Juliet MUCHOCHOMA one of the affected farmers said all the farmers have pledged to remove all the bananas in the Kapululila Irrigation Scheme as they aim at addressing the situation.

Mrs. MUCHOCHOMA noted that farmers are prepared to plant new suckers of bananas as they are determined to have the viral disease controlled and contained.

Meanwhile Chrispin GOLONGA says farmers will engage themselves in gardening of high value crops such as vegetables, cucumbers, watermelons, among others as an alternative livelihood venture as they await banana suckers for planting.

Mr. GOLONGA adds that the farmers are still interested in banana production as there is market within Chirundu district from traders coming from Kafue and Lusaka.