malvernmugadzikwa
Online Reporter
THE Government has suspended imports of potatoes and related agricultural plants that are hosts to the pepper ringspot virus (PepRSV) to protect local farmers.
PepRSV is a significant pathogen of cultivated potato, producing arcs and flecks of corky in potato tubers rendering the entire crop unmarketable.
The decision was made in response to the recent notification by the National Plant Protection Organisation of South Africa on the detection of the PepRSV in potato cultivars.
The suspension is in line with the Plant Pest and Disease Act Chapter 19.08
In an interview on Friday, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri said the suspension is with immediate effect.
“In line with a new pest in South Africa for potatoes called pepper ringspot virus (PepRSV), we are really on the watch because this might also affect our potatoes and our farmers.
“We are, therefore, as Government, taking measures to ensure that we do not risk our potato growers in general. We are suspending the importation of potatoes to safeguard ourselves from this potato virus.
“We urge potato importers to comply with this directive during this period as we do further assessments.”
The Government, Prof Jiri said, is sending a team to South Africa to assess the situation on the ground.
“All pending permits to import into Zimbabwe of PepRSV host plants are hereby cancelled.
“On top of the agenda is the restriction of potato seed importation. We will not be allowing seed imports until we have come up with protocols on how to identify the virus but, at the moment, no imports will be allowed,” he said.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s agro-research institute, Kutsaga, has assured farmers of the availability of disease-free potato tubers.
Kutsaga chief executive officer Dr Frank Magama said: “Farmers need not panic upon this announcement. Top-quality disease-free potato tubers are always available at our institute for purchase at a minimal price.”
Using tissue culture technology, Dr Magama said, the institute can produce 15 million plantlets from one seed.
“We are ready for any possible shocks from this importation suspension,” he said.
PepRSV is transmitted in infected planting material and plant products through host material transfer from pest-infected areas to pest-free areas and this negatively affects domestic and international trade and export potential of relevant host commodities.
Online Reporter