Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease
FAO supported interventions in the region
Aisja Frenken – Regional DRR Expert
21 August, 2013
FAO’s way forward – in the bigger perspective
Technical:
• Invest in promotion of Good Agricultural
Practices (CA, timely planting, soil health, etc.)
• Expand markets for alternative crops
• Breeding for resistant/tolerant seed
• Diversification of food habits
FAO’s way forward – in the bigger perspective
Programmatic:
• Platforms for linking regional-country
responses and regulations
• Bringing together various stakeholders,
including private sector
• Effective and efficient surveillance systems
Current FAO response in the region
• Small project with internal FAO funding (TCP)
• Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and South Sudan
• Outcome:
– Reduced speed of spread of MLND resulting in
better food security in maize dependent
communities and supported strategies for future
mitigation
Outputs of TCP
• An effective institutional coordination framework
established amongst key stakeholders
undertaking MLND interventions in the targeted
countries at national and regional level.
• Stocktaking of the current MLND spread done
and capacity for monitoring MLND occurrence in
targeted countries enhanced.
• Knowledge and skills on appropriate crop
production practices to mitigate MLND enhanced.
Follow up on TCP
Project components
Expected outcomes
Expected concrete outputs
1. Planning and
Coordination
Institutional capacity improved
to prevent, mitigate and
respond to MLND thus creating
pathways for sustainable exit
from risk related to MLND.
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2. Research,
Knowledge
Management and
Learning
Informed action on control and 
mitigation of MLND established.
3. Capacity
Development and
Productivity
Enhancement
Capacity of targeted farming
communities to control and
mitigate the impacts of MLND
enhanced.
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National taskforces and regional platforms
instituted
Institutional/policy factors at national and
regional level reviewed and amended,
where necessary
MLND knowledge and information sharing
products updated and made available
Potential tolerant/resistant varieties
tested by farmers
Regional database on MLND established
and website updated with relevant
information
Key stakeholders and farmers trained in
MLND control/management and GAP
Farmers sensitized to realize the benefits
from the suggested control measures and
agronomical practices
Farmers linked to local markets/value
chain opportunities
Information sharing forum
http://www.disasterriskreduction.net/eastcentral-africa/fsnwg/subgroups/maize-lethalnecrosis-disease-mlnd/en/
Contributions for the forum to be send to:
aisja.frenken@fao.org