Guardian

SCIENTISTS  from different continents of the world are meeting in Arusha, Tanzania, where they hope to share latest scientific development, brainstorm and draw a road map to contain the spread of plant virus diseases.

The conference, the 12th International Plant Virus Epidemiology (IPVE) meet, will hold on January 28 through February 1. I t comes up with the theme, “Evolution, Ecology and Control of Plant Viruses.”

According to a release by the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, the summit, ” is coming at a time when the battle against plant virus diseases is becoming more complex and the need for food security is demanding more global attention.”

The viruses, which have become mounting challenges to main staple crops, are listed as the deadly cassava brown streak, banana bunchy top disease, rice yellow mottle, and maize streak virus, among others.

Director General, Dr. Nteranya Sanginga, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) said “plant viruses are spreading rapidly to new places, frustrating efforts to boost the food security and livelihoods of millions of people.”

“Poor small-holder farmers—who are majority of the population and of the food growers, with their limited resources are bearing the brunt of these virus diseases. They are least able to invest in inputs such as pesticides and herbicides and improved disease-resistant varieties,” he added.

The release said the symposium will provide a forum for exchange of latest knowledge and technologies to control virus diseases and pave the way for an African and global strategy to combat emerging and re-emerging plant virus diseases.

It is expected that renowned virologists from over 40 countries would attend the occasion.

The meeting will be co-organised by IITA, CGIAR, Bioversity, Mikocheni Agricultural Research Institute (MARI) in Tanzania, the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) of Uganda, AVRDC—The World Vegetable Center, and West and Central African Council for Agriculture Research and Development (WECARD/CORAF) under the auspices of the International Committee on Plant Virus Epidemiology (ICPVE).