rapidly spreading fungal infection that disrupts the cassava plant’s growth by attacking its vascular system, leading to dense shoot proliferation, stunted development, and reduced root formation. As yields drop sharply, farmers face significant income losses and greater production risks, which in turn threaten household resilience and local food supply. At scale, the disease undermines cassava’s role as a key staple crop, creating broader food security challenges across affected regions. No infections have been detected in the districts Nickerie and Coronie.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Stock Breeding and Fisheries (LVV) emphasized the importance of following the preventative measures in order to keep this disease from spreading. Regular field inspections also play an important role. It is also important for farmers to notify the authorities immediately when they detect CWBD. Immediately after the Agriculture Ministry received reports of the possible presence of CWBD, it started training people on how to recognize and prevent this disease. Training sessions were organized in the districts Nickerie, Coronie, Saramacca, Commewijne, Paramaribo and Wanica, “I am grateful for being given the opportunity to attend this training. It has increased my knowledge on CWBD. Now I know how to recognize the symptoms and which advise I can give growers in order to prevent infections,” said field worker Nucatia Gefferie from Coronie.

Arnie Dors, senior advisor, emphasized that the people who spread the information play a crucial role in the prevention and spread of this disease. The objective is to train about 120 people from the districts Nickerie, Saramacca, Commewijne, Paramaribo, Brokopondo and Wanica.