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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Agriculture CXC SBA

Transcript of SBA on Black Sigatoka

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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

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    ents

    Graph showing the causes of the decline in banana production

    . Labour

    Market

    Black sigatoka

  • 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

  • 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

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    en

    ts

    Histogram showing the solutions to curb black sigatoka

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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:

  • 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

  • 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.

  • Also I would like to thank my teachers for their assistance and support also my parents for

    their encouragement and support throughout this venture.