Banana farming is more than a business on KwaZulu-Natal’s South Coast – it is the backbone of rural livelihoods and food security. But the industry now faces one of its greatest challenges yet – the Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV), a disease that farmers and experts warn could devastate production if not contained.
BBTV spreads through infected planting material and insect vectors, stunting the growth of plants and significantly reducing yields.
According to a report by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), BBTV was first detected in South Africa in June 2015 on a farm near Hibberdene, a coastal town in KwaZulu-Natal.
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The detection was made during routine surveys by the farmer, who noticed banana plants showing symptoms characteristic of BBTV. Leaf samples were collected and tested positive for the virus. In response, the farm was placed under quarantine, and an order was given to destroy the infected plant material to prevent further spread.
For many farmers experiencing this virus, even a single infected plant can quickly threaten an entire farm, putting income and employment at risk.
“We are really suffering with this virus, we are new to this virus. We have seen it this year and have already reported to the National Department of Agriculture, and we are trying so hard to break this disease and control it because it has a big impact on our plants,” said Phephelo Ngubane, a banana farm manager at KwaNyuswa Agricultural Farm in Ramsgate.
Ngubane’s farm supplies 15 different clients, highlighting the wider implications of BBTV beyond the farm gate.
“We are pleading with the department to provide us with the necessary tools, chemicals, and guidance to combat this virus. Every day we delay, we risk losing more plants, which directly affects our production,” he said.
Other workers and producers in the area have echoed Ngubane’s concerns. Rowy Nxumalo, a worker at Roseland Farm in KwaZulu-Natal, urged the department to act quickly.
“We need urgent support for commercial farmers like us. The virus is spreading, and without the right tools and guidance, our farms and the communities that rely on them are at serious risk,” Nxumalo said.
“We urgently need chemicals to kill this virus and proper tools to work with, like wheelbarrows and other equipment, to manage the infected plants,” he said.
“Without these resources, BBTV will continue to spread, putting our farm, our suppliers, and our livelihoods at serious risk.”
Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Nokuzola Capa, acknowledged the threat of BBTV and pledged support for farmers.
“We are aware of the challenges that BBTV poses to banana producers across the country. The Department is committed to working closely with farmers to provide guidance, strengthen biosecurity measures, and ensure access to resources that can help contain and manage the virus,” said Capa.
