SBA on Black Sigatoka
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Transcript of SBA on Black Sigatoka
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Black Sigatoka
The fungal pathogen Mycosphaerella fijienis causes the Black Sigatoka disease (BSD)
which attacks only the leaves of bananas and plantains. The first symptom is a faint
reddish brown speck on the underside of the leaves. These reddish brown specks
lengthen into reddish brown streaks approximately 20x2mm which change to dark brown
or black and becomes visible on the upper surface of the leaf.
Black Sigatoka was first been seen in Dominica in June 2012. The present situation of
Black sigatoka is that the disease is slowly spreading to areas where the Black sigatoka
was intercepted. The disease has made the dilemma of banana production worst thus
making things exceptionally hard for the farmers in small communities such as Marigot.
With this in mind, the researcher has taken upon himself to investigate the effects of
Black Sigatoka on banana production and by extension the villagers of Marigot with hopes
of finding a solution to this growing problem.
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Abstract
The researcher in pursuing the study To what extent has Black Sigatoka affected banana
production did the following:
Gathered information at the North Eastern Agricultural center
Visited an infected farm at Hatton Garden on July 29, 2013 to take pictures of the
diseased plants .
Produced a questionnaire: This was provided to persons to obtain the necessary
information.
The internet was used to research the topic.
Interviews: This was used to source information from the farmers.
Camera: Utilized the digital camera to take pictures.
Literature Review
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Agricultural Science
Questionnaire
Topic: How has the Black Sigatoka Disease affected farmers of the community of
Marigot?
1. What is your gender?
Male Female
2. What is your age range?
20- 35 36 45 46 59 60- 70
3. Which part of Marigot do you live?
Rose Hill Weirs Sams Gutter
Valley Strath Hill Dam
4. Are you an active farmer?
Yes No
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5. How do you rate the decline of banana production in your village?
Moderately Severe Very severe
6. What is the current factor of the decline of banana and plantain production?
a. Availabity of labour
b. Market opportunity
c. Disease or pest
d. All of the above
7. What percentage of your farm has been affected by Black Sigatoka Disease?
25 75 100
8. What is the main effect of Black Sigatoka on banana and plantain production?
a. Reduces the plants ability to produce marketable fruits
b. Decrease fruit quality
c. All of the above
9. What do you think will be the worst result on villagers due to the decline of banana
production
a. Poverty
b. Low standard of living
c. Abandon fields
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10. What problems may arise in the community due to the effect of this disease?
a. Crime
b. Theft
c. Loss of jobs
11. How has black Sigatoka affected you as a farmers directly?
a. Low production
b.
c. All of the above
12. What is your average cultivation?
a. 1-3 acres
b. 4-5 acres
c. above 6 acres
13. What was your average income from banana and plantain production annually?
a. $10,000- $15,000 b. $16,000- $21,000 c. Above
$30,000
. 14. How could the farmer best assist to help curb the spread of Black Sigatoka?
a. Follow the prescribed practices
b. Cut down the affected fields
c. Plant other crops
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15 . How best can Government assist farmers who are affected by Black Sigatoka?
a. Provide material for regular spraying
b. Compensate farmers for their losses.
c. Provide technical assistance.
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Fig 1 Question# 6. What is the current factor of the decline of banana and plantain
production?
Fig1 is a bar chart that shows the causes of decline in the banana production. The results
shows that the majority which is 80 percent chose Black Sigatoka,10 percent chose
labour and market which are the least.
10 10
80
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
. Labour Market Black sigatoka
% o
f re
spo
nd
ents
Graph showing the causes of the decline in banana production
. Labour
Market
Black sigatoka
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Fig 2. Question#8 What is the main effect of Black Sigatoka on banana and plantain
production?
Fig 2. Is a pie chart which shows problems what may arise due to the effects of Black
Sigatoka. Most of the Farmer agreed that poverty which is 70 percent, will affect
the welfare of the community greatly. It can be stated 20% thought abandon fields
would affect and a minority of 10 percent choose low standard of living.
70%
10%
20%
Pie Chart showing the effects of Black Sigatoka onbanana production
Poverty
. Low standard of living
Abandon fields
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FIG.3 Question15
Fig.3 is a bar graph which shows that 55 percent which is the highest chose following the
prescribed practices, 25 percent chose cutting the affected fields while only20
percent chose to plant other crops.
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Follow theprescribed practices
Cut down theaffected fields
Plant other crops
%o
f re
spo
nd
en
ts
Histogram showing the solutions to curb black sigatoka
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Data Analysis
This research sought to assess the effects of Black Sigatoka on the banana production in
the Community of Marigot. The data revealed some interesting results. The study was
conducted by way of a questionnaire on a population of twenty persons - sixteen (18)
males and four (2) males. Age range of the respondents was from ------- to --------.
According to the results in Fig 1, nine (9) persons or 45% of the population were of the
opinion that the main cause of decline the banana production was the Black Sigatoka.
Responses to the other two areas in the study - Labour and Market 30% (6 persons) and
25% (4 persons) respectively. Thus, based on the results, the main area that appears to
impact the decline in banana productivity in the community of Marigot is Black Sigatoka.
In Fig2 14 prsons or 70% of the population were of the opinion that the main effect
70 percent, will affect the welfare of the community greatly. It can be stated 20% thought
abandon fields would affect and a minority of 10 percent choose low standard of
living
Literature Review
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Black Sigatoka Disease was confirmed in Dominica in June 2012. The fungus produces two
types of spore one on the upper surface of the land the other on the lower surface. The
fungus thrives in wet, humid conditions.
Black Sigatoka is spread by wind rain and man. The ascospores are blown from field to
field while generally move from leaf to leaf in rain splash. Man can help to spread the
disease by moving contaminated plants from infested areas to non infested areas.
Black Sigatoka Disease destroys the leaves rendering them useless in photosynthesis
which is important to supply the plant with food. This further result in reduced bunch size
and weight of plantain and bananas at harvest time. The disease cause early and uneven
ripening of the fruits in the field and after harvest which renders the fruit unmarketable
thus a decline in production and export potential and loss of income.
Findings
From the survey conditions by the reaction the following was observed disease has gravely
affected the banana plant industry in Marigot
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The disease has reduced production of bananas and plantain rendered unmarketable. Due
the impact of the B.S disease job loss is evident and farmer income has been impacted
significantly. Therefore this could lead social problems
Due to the impact of Black Sigatoka disease farmer has seen are complete loss of income
and are losing hope in the industry.
Recommendation
With the current decline of the banana and plantain production due to the Black Sigatoka
Disease some recommendations have been made:
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The Government should make available the necessary resource such as spray oil, inputs
and compensation to farmers whose fields have been affected by Black Sigatoka.
The Agricultural Extension Officers should facilitate educational sessions with farmers.
Carry out field demonstrations assist farmers with the control of the disease.
Farmers should also adhere to the prescribed practices in order to help control and curb
the spread of Black Sigotaka Disease.
CONCLUSION
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Acknowledgement
It is with great gratitude and appreciation that the researcher acknowledge all those who
help me with to make this project a success. He would like to thank the Lord Almighty, for
giving her the wisdom and strength to carry out and bring this task to completion.
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Also I would like to thank my teachers for their assistance and support also my parents for
their encouragement and support throughout this venture.