Strange Okra disease in Northern Kaduna is an epidemic -IAR Director

From: Femi  Oyelola, Kaduna

The Director of the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Professor Muhammad Faguji Ishiyaku has said that the strange Okra disease in the  Northern part of Kaduna state is an epidemic that is prevalent in several places.

He stated this while fielding questions from newsmen on the recent discovery of the strange Okra disease in Northern Kaduna state and some parts of the Southern part of the country.

Faguji Ishiyaku said on receiving the report of the strange Okra disease, the Institute’s experts swung into action and discovered that it is a virus that causes the disease.

According to the investigation, the Virus is transmitted by some insects that are vectors of these virus diseases.

Also, the virus can come from an source infected, Ishiyaku said.

The Director said, unfortunately, the Virus diseases are unlike Bacteria disease and has no chemical control measures for now.

But as experts advised, the control can be indirectly by conducting a spray on the insects that spread the virus.

Professor Muhammad Faguji Ishiyaku advised farmers to spray the Okra with an insecticide that will control those insects to stop the spreading of the virus.

“As IAR Scientists have taken some samples for laboratory testing to identify the real virus, farmers were advised to continue with their farming by spraying insecticide to control the spread of the virus”.

“Even though the Okra is very healthy for consumption, next year, farmers should make sure they buy their seed from a seed company “.