PSC In The News
Kalousova and Burgard find credit card debt increases likelihood of foregoing medical care
Pierotti finds shift in global attitudes on intimate partner violence
Highlights
Arline Geronimus wins Excellence in Research Award from School of Public Health
Yu Xie to give DBASSE's David Lecture April 30, 2013 on "Is American Science in Decline?"
U-M grad programs do well in latest USN&WR "Best" rankings
Sheldon Danziger named president of Russell Sage Foundation
Back in September
Follow us Going, Going, Gone Bananas: The Effects of Crop Disease
a PSC Small Grant Research Project
Investigator: Anne Fitzpatrick
In 2001, a virulent crop disease that attacks bananas was discovered in Uganda and still remains a threat to banana production today.
However, little is known about the socioeconomic effects of the disease, despite the primary importance of bananas in Uganda as both a food security and income crop. Results from focus groups with key stakeholders indicate that the disease had been successfully contained through the initial government-administered programs, but ongoing efforts have waned and the disease is still a threat to livelihoods in many districts. Farmers and NGO officials remain extremely concerned about the return of BXW. The reported production losses from BXW by interviewed farmers was highly variable; affected farmers primarily were unable to pay school fees, and some report not having enough to eat as a result of the losses to their crops. All were concerned about a future outbreak, and many requested increased advisory services and guidance to help them prevent a resurgence of BXW.
| Funding: | Marshall Weinberg International Travel Fund |
Funding Period: 02/01/2011 to 06/30/2012
Country of Focus: Uganda
Support PSC's Small Grant Program