<p>COAST Regional Commissioner Mwantumu Mahiza has ordered the Agriculture Department in Mkuranga District to study the fungus disease that has affected cashew nuts in Magawa village. The RC directed the team to work for at least two months to understand the disease and advise the affected farmers on the infection prevention practices.</p> <p>Ms Mahiza gave the order at the just ended cashew nut stakeholders’ meeting here, noting that an intensive public awareness campaign was needed to enlighten farmers on the signs and ways of preventing the destructive disease. In addition she mentioned that other crops need to be given priority to cover the loss which has been wrought by disease.</p> <p>“The disease has frustrated the farmers efforts others which can be sold and obtain income. It is time greater effort was directed on other crops like sesame, cassava and maize,” she said. Earlier, the district’s Agricultural, Irrigation and Cooperatives Officer, Ms Julita Bulali, had pointed out that the disease first appeared in Magawa village in 2000 and its prevalence was confirmed by the Ministry of Agriculture.</p> <p>She added that on August 12 this year the ministry provided the district with details on the disease. Expounding, she mentioned that the first sign of the disease, which is caused by fungi known as fusarium oxysporum, is for the leaves to lose their green colour and turn yellow, and that the affected trees die after five to seven weeks.</p> <p>The affected trees are usually found within areas which have the fungi, but other trees can also be affected if the soil from affected area is taken to another area which is not affected, she said. “The best way to avoid the disease is to ensure that farming equipment like hoes and others are well cleaned after and before use”, she explained.</p> <p>Meanwhile, the RC has condemned the tendency by some traders not to agree with the acceptable price which for the 2014/2015 season is 1,000/- per kilogramme. “I will not be patient with traders and middlemen who oppress farmers by forcing to buy cashew nuts at low prices,” she emphasized.</p> <p> </p>