Harvest looks gloomy as strange disease attacks maize
A farmer, Elia Mwakyoma, from Rungwe said the disease had greatly withered maize and that he was certain of not getting any harvest this year.
What you need to know:
The virus disease, which is spread by grasshoppers, has now penetrated into Rungwe, posing a threat to farmers.
Busokelo/Rungwe. Maize farmers at seven wards of the Busokelo District Council may suffer a loss of 70 per cent of maize harvests after the crop being attacked by no cure disease.
The virus disease, which is spread by grasshoppers, has now penetrated into Rungwe, posing a threat to farmers.
Busokelo Agricultural Officer Gidioni Mapunda told a civics council under its chairperson, Anyosisye Njobelo, that the maize disease was spread by viruses that caused maize leaves to be turned into white.
The wards, where maize crops have badly been affected are Kandete, Mpombo, Luteba, Isanga, Kabula and Lwangwa.
Rungwe District Council Agricultural Officer Steven Mapunda said the disease had attacked the maize of farmers from many wards and that it was likely they could not get harvests.
