- Date: 29 September 2025
- Time: 09:00 AM (Brussels Time)
- Duration: 2 hours
- Languages: English
- Format: Online Webinar (Open Session)
- Register here
Bananas play a central role in the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Over 1,000 varieties exist, with the Cavendish accounting for approximately 47% of global production due to its high yield and resilience to environmental factors (FAO, 2024). Major producers include India, China, Indonesia, and the Philippines, with significant exports from Latin America and the Caribbean.
Fusarium Tropical 4 (TR4) is one of the major pathogenic diseases affecting banana crops for years. The soil fungus affects the growth cycle of bananas impacting plant yields on infected farms. While TR4 does not affect the fruit directly, its influence on yield and farmer livelihoods underscores the need for continued collaboration on research and innovation in integrated pest management strategies.
Farmers Organizations engaged in programmes from AgriCord, EAFF, Alliance for Bioversity International and CIAT, Farmcoop, and ACIAR have engaged in participatory research and innovations, trials, and value chain initiatives. This webinar is an opportunity to hear from farmers and researchers about their innovative IPM approach and discuss what are the next steps to scale them.
Key Topics:
- Country contexts and extent of TR4 in bananas
- Overview and evolution of production systems in local intervention areas
- Strategies undertaken by your organization and local partners in the wake of TR4 incursions
- Impact of strategies on TR4 in terms of results
Speakers:
- Stephen Muchiri - EAFF
- Kahlil Ipuzen-Ito - FarmCOOP
- Sebastien Carpentier - Alliance for Bioversity and CIAT
- Tony Pattison - Queensland Department of Primary Industries, ACIAR
