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CIAT and Partners Raise Awareness on Cassava Witches' Broom Disease. The International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), in collaboration with the Plant Protection Center, recently conducted a workshop to raise awareness about cassava witches' broom disease (CWBD), a major concern for cassava producers. The event, held in Vientiane, was co-chaired by Mr. Bounsu Soudmaly, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture, and Dr. Jonathan Newby, leader of the Cassava Program. 

Attended by representatives from provincial and district agricultural offices, the Lao National Cassava Association, farmers, international NGOs, and technical experts, the workshop addressed the impact of CWBD on cassava production, emphasizing the disease’s spread via infected stems. CIAT and the Plant Protection Center presented findings from a preliminary pre-season survey, revealing how CWBD is propagating across regions, affecting the quality of planting material.

Participants were also educated on disease management practices, including methods to identify and source disease-free cassava stems. A significant part of the workshop was a visit to the Rice and Cash Crops Research Center, where participants learned about ongoing research in disease screening, tissue culture propagation, and rapid propagation techniques, alongside experiments to develop disease-resistant cassava varieties.

Source: https://www.vientianetimes.org.la/freefreenews/freecontent_137CIAT_y24.php