Dar es Salaam, June 30 -- IN the face of a growing threat to banana farming across East Africa, a coalition of research institutions, agricultural authorities and farming organisations in Tanzania is working tirelessly to contain the spread of Banana Bunchy Top Disease (BBTD) a devastating viral disease that threatens one of the regions most critical food and income sources.

Leading this collaborative effort are the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) and the Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority (TPHPA), these organisations are combining their expertise in scientific research, seed systems, plant health surveillance and farmer training to combat the disease...