The World Bank has extended its support to the Global Alliance against Fusarium TR4, an international coalition dedicated to combating a disease endangering bananas, a crucial food source globally. This collaboration aims to curb the spread of the disease, which has significant implications for food security and the livelihoods of small-scale farmers worldwide.
The disease, caused by the Tropical Race 4 (TR4) strain of the Fusarium fungus, threatens the banana industry, which is vital for populations relying heavily on bananas for their nutritional needs. It has spread to several countries, including Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela.
A meeting hosted by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) in Panama facilitated discussions between the World Bank, International Finance Corporation (IFC), and various stakeholders from the banana sector. These included producer associations, companies across the banana supply chain, researchers, and officials from IICA.
During the meeting, the World Bank expressed its willingness to support the alliance's efforts, particularly through a pilot project in Ecuador, the leading banana exporter. This project will focus on developing new banana varieties, supporting small farmers, implementing biosecurity systems, conducting plant health studies, and engaging with governments.
The alliance has already made strides in prevention, training, cultivation of resistant varieties, control methods, and policy support. Innovations in production methods and significant scientific advancements were highlighted, including the identification of genes resistant to TR4.
Christopher Ian Brett, Lead Agribusiness Specialist at the World Bank, underscored the institution's commitment to the agricultural sector, noting its extensive portfolio of projects designed to support small farmers and enhance public goods and services in the agri-food sector.
Source: Caribbean News Service