Kenya: Agriculture ministry moves in to fight tomato disease

Kenya stands to lose millions of shillings following an outbreak of a disease that has adversely affected tomato farming. The disease, first detected in Isiolo, has spread to five counties in a few weeks raising fears of more losses to farmers.

Agriculture Secretary Felix Koskei said Tomato Leaf Miner is a serious disease and a threat to tomato production. He said the disease has been detected in Kirinyaga, parts of Meru, Kabete and Loitoktok. Koskei said it originated from Ethiopia.

“Tomato contributes Sh14 billion to the economy annually. We have moved in to address this disease, which destroys 50 to 100 per cent of the product,” he said. The CS said the ministry has put in measures to stop the disease from spreading to other parts of the country.

Among the mitigation measures include training farmers and extension officers and seeking pesticides to kill organisms that spread the disease.

“We are working with Kari and universities to research on the disease so that we can stop it from spreading,” he said. Koskei was addressing the press in Sawela Lodge, Naivasha after a meeting with pioneers of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Authority.

During the weekend meeting, Koskei said the authority, which will merge eight government institutions into one will be launched by next month.

Source: the-star.co.ke