Wheat, one of the world’s most important staple crops, is facing an escalating threat from several diseases that endanger global food security. With climate change accelerating the spread of pathogens, wheat farmers across major producing regions, including Zambia are grappling with increasingly aggressive outbreaks. These diseases not only reduce yields but also affect grain quality, leading to economic losses and food shortages. Wheat, like any other crop is also susceptible to disease.

Agricultural experts and farmers alike are scrambling to contain the damage caused by a surge in both new and re-emerging wheat diseases, which have raised fears about global food security and economic stability.
The most prominent among these diseases is wheat rust, a fungal infection that has three main forms: stem rust, leaf rust, and stripe rust. All of these pose significant risks to wheat yields.
The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) are coordinating global efforts to tackle wheat diseases. The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMTY) and it's collaborating partners, Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, Global Rust Reference Centre (GRCC), recently held a training workshop for scientists and researchers which was hosted by Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Organisation (KALRO) in Nakuru, Kenya.

Speaking during the training workshop, Dr. Batiseba Tembo, from the Zambia Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI) and Principal Investigator for the Disease Early Warning Advisory System (DEWAS) project said, Zambia has two agro climatic systems for wheat that is the rain fed season and the irrigated system.  Fusarium head blight, leaf rust, powdery mildew thrives under the irrigated system while wheat blast thrives under the rain fed system.

Wheat blast disease was first discovered in Zambia in 2018 under the rain season in Mpika district, and this disease is really undermining rain fed wheat production. ZARI has released two wheat seed varieties, Tyetye and Mpeta, that are at least tolerant to wheat blast. ZARI is making advancements in combating wheat diseases. Breeding for resistance is very important for the farmer, and they should practice crop rotation and use clean seed and not recycled seed, Dr. Banda said.

The growing threat of wheat diseases represents a significant challenge to global food security. As climate change continues to reshape agricultural landscapes, it is crucial that nations invest in research and adaptation strategies to protect this vital crop. Without sustained efforts, wheat diseases could worsen, leading to economic hardship and hunger for millions of people around the world (NAIS)