Wheat Blast Confirmed in Zambia; Tanzania Trains Scientists for Detection

Wheat blast, a fungal disease, has been confirmed in Zambia. Although the disease has not been found in Tanzania, researchers trained Tanzanian scientists at the Tanzanian Agricultural Research Institute. The training covered using low-cost, rapid LAMP assays to detect the fungal threat.

The confirmed presence of wheat blast in Zambia poses a threat to wheat harvests in neighboring Tanzania. The training provides Tanzania with tools to quickly identify the fungus should it reach the country, helping to protect agricultural output.