Ghana: Continued disease spread for mango farmers

Mango farmers have complained about the bacterial black spot (BBS) disease attack on their crops, and called for urgent action to stop the spread. The disease reportedly is ravaging mango farms, killing the trees and destroying yet-to-mature fruits.

The disease is said to be spreading in Kintampo, Techiman, Nkoranza and other mango-growing areas in Brong-Ahafo, as well as the Eastern Region.

About 80 per cent of mango plantation in Kintampo and its surrounding communities had come under attack.

Mr Kwasi Etu-Bonde, Managing Director of Sky-3 Farms at Kintampo, expressed concern about the development at a workshop to discuss access to financing by agribusiness operators and farmers from Ashanti and Brong-Ahafo in Kumasi.

It was organized by Trade Hub and African Partners Network - a United States Agency for International Development (USAID) project, to promote investment, trade competitiveness and economic growth in West Africa.

Mr Etu-Bonde, the 2011 National Best Mango Farmer, said the disease was so devastating that there was an urgent need for research scientists to get down to business to find a solution. He warned that if allowed to persist, it would have dire consequences on the nation’s mango production.

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