The Ministry of Rural Development and Food Crop Production warns the population about the presence of an aggressive virus capable of causing significant damage if no precautions are taken.
“CIRCULAR No. 0399 /MINADERPV/DGPSA/DPVCQ of April 8, 2026
To: Stakeholders in the Cassava Sector
Subject: Alert on the presence of the Ugandan strain of the East African Cassava Mosaic Virus (EACMV-Ug) in Côte d’Ivoire
The presence of the Ugandan strain of the East African Cassava Mosaic Virus (EACMV-Ug) has been confirmed in the western region of Côte d’Ivoire.
This viral disease, particularly aggressive, poses a serious threat to national cassava production, food security, and farmers’ incomes.
It spreads mainly through infected planting material, especially cuttings, as well as through farming practices that facilitate its dissemination.
In Uganda, in the 1990s, this viral disease caused a drop in annual cassava production from 3.5 million tons to 0.5 million tons, with an estimated annual financial loss of 36.4 billion CFA francs. This led to a humanitarian crisis due to famine, resulting in the deaths of thousands of people in the country.
Given this alarming situation, and in the absence of any curative treatment for this disease, only strict preventive measures can limit its spread.
Consequently, any collection or transport of cassava cuttings originating from the infested western areas of Côte d’Ivoire is strictly prohibited. Furthermore, any formal or informal exchange between producers is also banned.
The decentralized branches of ANADER, agricultural research institutions, as well as the Interprofessional Agricultural Organization for cassava are tasked with widely disseminating this circular and ensuring its strict enforcement.
The Directorate General of Production and Food Security counts on the responsibility and vigilance of all to preserve the cassava production potential in Côte d’Ivoire.”
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