Striga weed costs Sub Saharan Africa an estimated $1 billion USD worth of losses and negatively affects  the livelihoods of over 100 million people (Dfid.uk.gov; accessed September 29, 2011). Parasitism by Striga can cause yield losses of up to 40% to complete crop failure (African Union; accessed September 29, 2011).  Fifteen countries in Eastern, Southern and Western Africa account for 95% of the continent's Striga infested fields.