Through the project "Implementation of measures to prevent the entry and spread of quarantine diseases" focused on Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense RT-4.

The development of the linkage work with the banana community was carried out through an agreement with the Association of Banana Producers of Ecuador (APROBANEC), which made it possible to reach different sectors located in the cantons of Quevedo, Valencia, Buena Fe and La Maná. The initiative to carry out this project came about because banana cultivation is threatened by different diseases that affect its development. One of the diseases that has had the greatest impact is the so-called "Panama disease" (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense), recognised as a catastrophic disease in the world of musaceae, where race 1 of this pathogen caused the loss of thousands of hectares of Gros Michel bananas in the 50s and 60s. The particular survival and development of this fungus has caused its mutation and originated Race 4, which is characterised by being much more destructive and currently no methods have been found for its control, becoming a potential threat to the banana sector.

Ecuador, being recognised as one of the main banana producers, has seen the need to raise awareness of this new disease, generating a focus on various preventive activities to avoid the entry of this pathogen into the country. Some of these activities include keeping a rigorous record of the entry of people, disinfecting work tools before starting and after work, disinfecting footwear and vehicle tyres prior to entry, as well as raising awareness of the different ways in which this pathogen is spread and the symptoms of the disease. For this reason, this project hopes to include more people and generate greater interest among the beneficiaries in order to be prepared for this disease, as there are still no records of its arrival in the country.