AGFAX Resource - Making the Most of Banana January 2009

A fruit, a tasty dessert, a business opportunity, a career: what do you see in a banana? Six people describe the importance of bananas in their lives. Inspiring, thought-provoking viewpoints that will get you thinking about the amazing influence of this commonplace fruit.

On a mission to discover how bananas have changed lives on the Kenyan coast, Pius Sawa visits a research station, a large-scale banana farm, and a bustling banana market. Talking to scientists, farmers and traders, he learns of the crucial role that bananas have in the local economy, and of the personal benefits that being in the banana business can offer.

Nutrition specialist Omo Ohiokpehai explains how bananas are an excellent source of potassium, calcium, Vitamin C and Vitamin A, as well as sugars and energy. As such, they are a fantastic food for children, helping them to have strong bones, good eyesight and a healthy immune system. Sick people can easily absorb calories from banana, which is easily digestible.

A chef at Mombasa's Leisure Lodge Hotel describes some of the many banana-based foods being served in the hotel restaurants. These include soups, salads, desserts and main courses: guests are surprised at just how many uses banana can be put to, and the tasty results. The hotel's head storekeeper buys about 60kgs of bananas every day, and he describes what he looks for to get the best quality.

Frank Shotkoski, Director of a Biotechnology Project, explains how transferring genes from one plant to another can increase resistance to certain diseases and viruses. Researchers in Uganda, for example, are trying to introduce resistance to Black Sigatoka, while others are looking at making bananas resistant to nematodes. He responds to some common criticisms of biotechnology - that it is too expensive for African countries and that it could have disastrous side-effects.

Bananas are typically multiplied by taking 'suckers' from a mature plant. Often farmers will exchange suckers with each other, to increase the diversity of their banana crop. However, one disadvantage with this method is that diseases can be retained in the sucker, causing loss of productivity in the new banana plant. Tissue culture is an alternative approach. Tiny pieces of banana are cleaned of disease and multiplied in a laboratory. A scientist and a farmer explain just how this works, and the benefits it offers.

Nematodes are probably the most severe pest of banana, affecting both dessert and cooking varieties. Typically they infest the root of the plant, interfering with the uptake of nutrients and water. To tackle nematodes, farmers need to get clean, nematode-free plants in the first place. This is possible at farm level by careful selection and simple treatment of the planting material. Plants produced by tissue culture should also be nematode-free.

A research officer gives some valuable, practical advice on how to give young banana plants the best start in life. This includes planting, weeding, pruning and protecting them against pest attack.

In Uganda, the government has launched an initiative to support banana processing. Farmers are being taught how to dry their fruit, so that they can be made into flour, and this is now beginning to replace wheat flour in local diets. Pius Sawa talks to the director of the initiative, to a food processor, a chef, and to people on the street in Kampala, about this exciting development for banana growers, and tries some matooke-flour soup.

Mariam Asigri, a teacher from Kumasi, Ghana, used to make banana juice at Christmas time as a gift for friends and family. But her juice was so popular she decided to make it a business. Now the director of MASIG Natural Fruits Industries, she explains how the juice is made, and her marketing strategy.

The biggest banana exporters in the world can be found in South America. However, banana traders are turning their attention to Africa as a new source of bananas for the global market. Director of a banana-trade NGO, Banana Link, explains why this is happening and the implications for African banana production. In particular, he advises smallholder farmers that the export market is unlikely to be their best option when looking to sell their crop.