Mozambique bananas under threat from deadly pest

A deadly pest, banana aphids, is threatening banana production in southern Mozambique.

The disease, known as Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV), is transmitted by the pest.

Mozambican authorities have already cut down about 30,000 plants to prevent the spread of the disease.

“This virus is lethal. The plants die,” said Celso Rufasse, coordinator of the BBTV virus control project.

Last year, a disease called Panama Evil hit banana plantations in northern Mozambique.

BBC