The document summarizes an MLN survey conducted in Zimbabwe from May 4-19, 2016. Three teams surveyed fields in several provinces, testing green maize for MCMV using strips provided by CIMMYT. The survey aimed to minimize the spread of MLN, particularly MCMV. 222 farmers' fields and 2 commercial fields were surveyed. The findings will help guide MLN prevention efforts like continued border checks and seed certification to support Zimbabwe's commercial seed sector and maize productivity. A revised 2017 survey plan is proposed.

1. Country reports on on going MLN
surveys/initiatives
Zimbabwe Report

2. SURVEILLANCE
• One SURVEILLANCE MISSION COURTESY OF
CIMMYT - USAID SUBGRANTEE supported
MLN survey and diagnostics project .
• The USAID funded project on ‘Controlling the
spread and impact of MLN in Sub-Saharan
Africa’ seeks to minimize risk of spread of
Maize Chlorotic Mottle Virus (MCMV), a
primary causal agent of MLN

3. GERMPLASM SCREENING
• CIMMYT IS SET UP A SCREENING FACILITY AT
MAZOWE PQ STATION, OFFICIAL OPENED BY
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE
• EXPECTING TO HAVE HIGH LEVEL OF
COLLABORATION TO DEVELOP RESISTANT CVs
• PVT SEED CO. INITIATIVES TO SUBMIT MAIZE
SEED SAMPLES FOR SCREEING FOR MLN BY
CIMMYT IN KENYA.

4. IMPORT OF GRAIN AND SEED
• NEW PHYTOSANITARY CONDITIONS FOR
MAIZE SEED/GRAIN IMPORT WERE
DEVELOPED
• MLN VIRUSES WERE INCLUDED ON THE
ACTING LIST OF REGULATED PESTS

5. COUNTRY STATUS
• NEED CAPACITATION OF NPPO +
• EQUIPMENT: EXPECT CAPACITATION FROM
C8MMYT MLN FACILITY FOR THE NPPO.
• KNOWHOW: PATNERSHIP WITH SISTER
INSTITUTES TO MANAGE THE SERIOUS
THREAT OF MLN.

6. INITIATIVES TO PREVENT THE
DISEASES INTRODUCTION
• CONTINUED BORDER CHECKS
• SENSITIZATION OF INSPECTORS :AWARENESS
AND CHECKING FOR POTENTIAL THREATS OF
INTRODUCTION OF MAIZE THROUGH CROSS
BORDER TRADE
(COLLECT SAMPLES AND TESTS).

7. SUMMARY OF MLND SURVEY
CIMMYT USAID: MLN survey and diagnostics project M0267
Team Members:
(Names
&designations)
Name Designation in this project Area
Cames Mguni Survey Coordinator (Team 3) Harare, Mash East , Midlands
Godfery Chikwenhere Survey Coordinator (Team 2) Manicaland, Mash East, Masvingo
Nhamo Mudada Survey Coordinator (Team 1) Mash Central, West
Esther Mtisi Survey Assistant Manicaland, Mash East
Anna Alesho Survey Assistant Manicaland, Mash East
Judith Banana Survey Assistant Mashonaland Central, West
Douglas Muchafa Survey Assistant Harare, Mash East , Midlands
Edmore Mtetwa Survey Assistant Harare, Mash East , Midlands
Samantha Nyagura Survey Assistant Manicaland, Mash East
Fungayi Chinosengwa Survey Assistant Mashonaland Central, West
Clemence Tauya Survey Assistant Harare, Mash East , Midlands
T Mbizvo Survey Assistant Harare, Mash East , Midlands
Tapiwa Nhemachena Survey Assistant Mashonaland Central, West
Kennedy Mabhehla Survey Assistant Mash Central, West
Chipo Zishiri Survey Assistant Manicaland, Mash East, Masvingo
Mandaza Martin Clarence Survey Assistant Mash central
Sabina Mujati Survey Assistant Masvingo
Mukajami Joseph Survey Assistant Manicaland
Innocent Dzuke Survey Assistant Midlands
Gazimbi Kanisiyo Survey Assistant Mash East
Musona Joseph Survey Assistant Mash West
Rutendo Nhongonhema Survey Assistant Harare, Mash East , Midlands
Date submitted: 05 August 2016
Submitted by: NHAMO MUDADA; mudadan@gmail.com; zpqs@iwayafrica.co.zw
Submitted to: Francis Mwatuni: F.Mwatuni@cgiar.org

8. BACKGROUND
• Response to a call for a regionally harmonized MLN
surveillance program by CIMMYT for Eastern and
Southern African Countries.
• CIMMYT together with NPPOZW implemented the
USAID-supported Maize Lethal Necrosis (MLN)
Diagnostics and Management Project.
• The project seeks to minimize risk of spread of Maize
Chlorotic Mottle Virus (MCMV), a primary causal agent
of Maize Lethal Necrosis (MLN).

9. BACKGROUND
• Over 80% of maize in Zimbabweans is produced by
small holder farmers for subsistence and livelihood.
• Zimbabwe is a hub of commercial seed production
in southern and eastern Africa and is currently one
of the largest exporters of hybrid maize seed to
markets in East Africa, Southern Africa and recently
into West Africa.
• Any disruption to maize hybrid seed production in
Zimbabwe is likely to have impacts on availability
and price of seed regionally.

10. HOW IT WAS DONE (4-19 May 2016)
• 3 teams each team headed by a survey coordinator supported
assistants
• Field visit were made to Mashonaland Central, Manicaland,
Mashonaland East, Masvingo, Harare Metropolitan, Mashonaland
West and Midlands provinces in the 2015/16 season.
• Data were collected using a structured questionnaire.
• Green maize tissues were tested for the presence of MCMV using
Agstrips provided by CIMMYT. Protocol for diagnosis was by
CIMMYT at MLN workshop in March 2016 in Harare.
• A concise map of Zimbabwe indicating the geo-referenced
sampling sites and the results obtained from the tests was
produced.

11. Plate 3: A surveyor assess maize crop for pests and symptoms of diseases and recording findings during MCM surveillance in May 2016 in Mutare,
Zimbabwe.
Field work

12. Outputs and Targets
Province
No. of farmers' fields for
MLN survey and
sampling
No. of seed production
fields of commercial
seed companies to be
surveyed for MLN survey
and sampling
No. of maize agri-seed
dealers to be surveyed
for collection of seed
samples for testing MLN
virus contamination if
any
Targets Achievement Targets Achievement Targets Achievement
Region 1 90 77 45 1 (maize
trial)
45 0
Region 2 90 67 45 1 45 0
Region 3 90 78 45 0 45 0
Total 270 222 135 2 135 0

13. Research findings/results

14. Revised work plan for the MCMV surveillances
project in Zimbabwe in 2017.
Specific Zone / Region / County / Provinces to be covered for MLN Surveys and Sampling
Province District Proposed No. of
farmers' fields for
MLN survey and
sampling
Proposed No. of seed
production fields of
commercial seed
companies to be
surveyed for MLN
survey and sampling
Proposed No. of maize
agriseed dealers to be
surveyed for collection
of seed samples for
testing MLN virus
contamination, if any
Proposed
Date/Period of
survey and sample
collection
REGION 1 Team
A (mash central
+ part of west)
guruve, centenary, mazowe,
bindura, shamva, mt darwin,
muzarabani, glendale, mvurwi,
karoi, mhangura, chinhoyi, banket,
lions den, doma
01 October to 31
March 2017
15 areas X 3 sampled
seed production
fields:
01 October 2016
15 areas X 3 sampled
seed from seed sellers:
01 October to 31
March 2017
01 October to 31
March 2017
REGION 2 Team
B (midlands +
part of west +
part of east )
Harare, mhondoro, shurugwi,
gokwe north, gokwe south, mvuma,
kwekwe,beatrice, chivhu, chegutu,
gweru, kadoma, sanyati.
01 October to 31
March 2017
15 areas X 3 sampled
seed production
fields: 01 October
2016
15 areas X 3 sampled
seed from seed sellers:
01 October to 31
March 2017
01 October to 31
March 2017
REGION 3
Team C. (Mash
east,
Manicaland,
Masvingo)
chiredzi, zaka, bikita, gutu,
mrehwa, mutoko, macheke,
marondera, goromonzi, arcturus,
nyanga, mutare, rusape, chipinge,
chimanimani,
01 October to 31
March 2017
15 areas X 3 sampled
seed production
fields: 01 October
2016
15 areas X 3 sampled
seed from seed sellers:
01 December to 31
March 2017
01 October to 31
March 2017

15. Remarks
• Phytosanitary measures instituted by trading partners need to be
complied with for trade to continue.
• The prevention of the spread of the MLN pathogens from MLN-
endemic to non-endemic areas support the commercial seed
sector to produce MCMV-free commercial seed, and promote the
use of clean seed by the farmers.
• Continued surveillance for Early warning purposes, rapid
response and rapid alert in 2016 is expected.
• The survey results are important primary pest management and
control data in maize production and productivity.