August 30: Government authorities have started preliminary study of the Panama (TR-4) disease detected in banana farms in Tikapur, Kailali.    

The panama infection was detected while carrying out sample tests of banana by the Nepal Agriculture Research Council (NARC).    

The Risk Analysis Taskforce formed by the National Plant Conservation Organization Nepal has started field study to find out the causes behind the destructive infectious disease.    

A seven-member taskforce headed by scientist of the National Plant Pathology Research Centre, Dr Ram Bahadur Khadka has reached Tikapur to initiate the study.    

The taskforce has started discussion with the chiefs of Sudurpaschim and Lumbini provinces offices working in the area of agriculture as well as the local farmers.    

On the occasion, Dr Khadka urged the farmers to adopt precaution without being discouraged.    

“Famers should be cautious for preventing the outbreak of infection of panama disease to other farmland,” he said, adding, "The results of sample test are alarming. Panama infection has been pervasive in 60-65 percent plants. It would be wise to destroy the infected plants while precautionary measures should be placed to stop the outbreak."    

The taskforce has recommended farmers to set up quarantine in each banana farm to check the outbreak of the infection that spreads through the transfer of soil from one to another area.    

Because this disease is caused by soil-dwelling fungus, it can spread easily through infected plants, soil, water, and agricultural tools. Also, it can move from one field to another even from the soil stuck on the tyres of the banana-carrying vehicle and shoes.

The taskforce has also suggested the farmers to send a sample of banana to the lab of Tikapur-based Sudurpaschim University Agriculture Campus.

The TR4 strain of Panama (withering) disease was detected recently in bananas for the first time in Nepal. This disease in bananas is caused by Fusaria Oxysporum Cubense Fungi, which is a TR4 strain of the Panama disease.

Stakeholders say that Nepal's banana business, which has an investment of Rs 15 billion, is at risk of collapsing if the outbreak is not curbed in time. This disease is spreading rapidly in other countries of the world. (With inputs from RSS)