Vital food sources threatened by disease

Cassava is one of the principle sources of calories in Africa, but supplies of this vital foodstuff are in very real danger following the widespread devastation caused by brown streak disease.

The crop, which is eaten by over 800 million people across the world, is critical to feeding poor families in Africa as it is often the only source of food they have available. It is widely grown in all the countries in which Send a Cow works and is used to feed millions of families.

Historically, the tuber is relatively easy to grow as it can still thrive in poor soil conditions and requires little maintenance. The spread of brown streak disease – now at pandemic proportions - will hit many families very hard.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has recognised the desperation of the situation and has so far given $27 million in grants to aid agencies and plant scientists who are working to fight the disease.

Send a Cow is extremely concerned about the widespread effects this disease will have on food sources in Africa, particularly in East Africa where brown streak is currently most prevalent.

To help mitigate against any disasters with one particular crop, the groups that Send a Cow works with are taught the importance of diversifying their crop production. Some farmers may grow around a dozen different fruits and vegetables including cabbage, carrot, green pepper, onion, spinach and tomato.

We hope this diversification will stand farmers in good stead and that brown streak disease is soon curtailed so that poor families across Africa are spared any further hardship.