OVER 5000 Hectares of cassava fields have been infested with the Cassava Brown Streak and Mosaic diseases in Mwense District.

The infestation predominantly recorded from cassava fields in Lukwesa Farm Block has resulted in about 80 percent crop loss affecting over 7,400 households in the area.

ZANIS reports that Mwense District Administrative Officer, Philip Muonga, has disclosed the outbreak of the cassava diseases fearing looming hunger in the area if the crop disease is not contained.

Mr Muonga has since advised farmers planning to plant cassava to use more infection resistant varieties such as the Mweru variety.

“We are experiencing an infestation of cassava fields by diseases mostly in Lukwesa. But I would like to appeal to our farmers to use Mweru cuttings which are resistant to the Cassava Brown Streak and the Cassava Mosaic Diseases,” Mr Muonga said.

Meanwhile, Fall Army Worms have broken out in some maize fields in Lukwesa area in Mwense threatening food security for close to 380 households.

Mr Muonga disclosed that about 80 Hectares of the 1,400 hectares maize fields have so far been infested with the pest representing a 7.1 percent infestation rate.

“We are appealing to the Ministry of Agriculture to promptly help farmers with chemicals to minimise crop losses and ensure food security for affected families,” Mr Muonga said.