Altus Viljoen, a plant pathologist from the University of Stellenbosch, revealed that a fungal disease outbreak is spreading rapidly across 3 000 hectares of farmland in Mozambique. This Panama disease outbreak may pose a threat to South Africa’s R1.5bn banana industry
Panama disease has been present for the past two years Mozambique’s Nampula province plantations. Mr Viljoen said that the Panama disease could spread from the Nampula province into South Africa if proper biosecurity isn’t introduced.
Outbreaks in Northern Mozambique pose a threat to all neighbouring countries. The disease is mainly spread through water, as well as through planting material and soil that clings to shoes and vehicles when farming. South Africans visiting affected farms in Mozambique for business may bring the outbreak home.
