Tackling Banana Wilt Disease in the DRC

Location: Minova Health Zone, DRC

Banana wilt is a devastating bacterial disease caused by the Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum bacteria. The wilt dries out the male bud and causes premature ripening of the banana plant’s fruits, making it impossible to consume or commercialize the product. In 2008 Action Against Hunger (ACF-USA) implemented a food security and livelihoods program to reduce wilt disease’s impact and propagation.