Researchers are investigating whether maize lethal necrosis is spread by insects or in seeds. When they know that, they may be better able to fight it.

The FAO’s Paul Omanga says he and others are telling farmers about the importance of crop rotation. But he says farmers must take more extreme action if they suspect the disease has infected their crops.

PAUL OMANGA: “Another one is ensuring that, in affected fields, you destroy all the plants. You can even burn them or make fodder for livestock. The stems, the leaves, you make fodder for livestock. But you should not leave those affected plants to stay in the field because the virus will remain in that to infect another crop.” (:31)

Paul Omanga says he is concerned about Kenya’s food stability.

OMANGA: “This is causing some concern because maize is the staple food and any threat to maize production is a threat to food security in Kenya.”

America’s Agency for International Development says the poorest Kenyans spend twenty-eight percent of what they earn on maize.

And that’s the VOA Special English Agriculture Report. You can find links to three recent FAO reports about food security in Africa on our website, voaspecialenglish.com. I’m Bob Doughty.