According to University of Stellenbosch plant pathologist Altus Viljoen, the outbreak of Panama Disease was spreading rapidly across the Metocheria Farm, a 3 000-hectare farm in northern Mozambique owned by Norwegian company Norfund.
Panama Disease has been present in plantations in north-eastern Mozambique’s Nampula province for the past two years.
“The outbreak at Metocheria is very serious. With the flooding at the beginning of 2015, the fungus has been spread almost everywhere on the farm, and most likely also down the Monapo River,” said Viljoen.
Viljoen said the disease could spread to more banana plantations in the Nampula province and then further into Africa, where it may threaten food security.
“The outbreak in northern Mozambique most certainly poses a risk to all its neighbouring countries. A major means of spread is water, as well as planting material and soil attached to shoes and vehicles from the farm.
“South Africans had been visiting the affected farms in Mozambique in the past, and are still visiting the farm to do business. If proper biosecurity is not introduced, South African growers might be affected,” Viljoen warned.
