Pineapple farmers trained in pineapple wilt management

Pineapple is high value crop contributing a gross income of 10.000.000 at household per acre of 20.000 plants which is sold at an average price of 500. In the Rwenzori, the crop is currently being grown in Kamwenge, Kasese, and Kyenjojo.The crop can almost grow on any type of soil, but it more adaptive to acid soils with a soil PH which is between 4.5 and 5.5, soil borne diseases are reduced.

The common variety grown in this region is the smooth cayenne which has no thorns, gives fruits of about 1.5-3kgs, more acidic, and requires temperatures between 24-270 c and a rainfall between 1200m-1500m.

This valuable crop has been attacked by the wilt disease and farmers are not yet aware which type of wilt is available in their gardens and how it can be controlled. The most common types of wilt include among others:
1. Wilt caused by nutrient deficiency
2. Mealy bug wilt (virus) wilt,
3. Nematode wilt, (phytophora fungi)
4. Heart and root rot.

To enhance the information sharing on the causes and control of the disease,SNV together with Ric-net,mountain of moon university,have selected twenty farmers from Kasese,Kamwenge and Kyenjojo to be trained as trainers of trainees in the management of pineapple wilt in the regions.

The twenty farmers have been trained in the identification of the wilt,the possible causes and control measures.these farmers will in turn trained the rest of the pineapple farmers in the management of the wilt.