Increasing returns from banana production

Although banana production in most areas in Africa targets household food security, banana production can also be made more commercially beneficial to the farmer. The farmer can achieve this through several ways:

• The first consideration is to increase output from existing banana plantations. As discussed in the previous sections, this can be done by improving the soil fertility, better husbandry practices in the banana plantation and by managing pests and diseases better. Together, these practices will allow for more yields to be obtained from the same piece of land.
• The farmer can further expand the acreage under banana production, coupled with good management; the yields will be higher and hence the farmer gets excess production for sale to get income.
• Organic banana production also emphasizes use of locally available and, as much as possible, on-farm inputs for planting materials, soil fertility and pest and disease management. This helps the farmer be more self-reliant and spend less on off-farm inputs and hence money is saved. Through diversification by growing different crops along with bananas, the farmer gets consistent extra income from the intercrops like coffee, cocoa or vanilla.

Depending on the location, climatic conditions and growth stage of the banana plantation, banana trees can be grown together with other crops which can benefit the farmer:

• Intercropping - In the first 2 years of banana production, short term crops (e.g. beans, maize or cassava) or long term crops such as bananas, cocoa, vanilla, can be grown in the space between the plants. Such crops will provide extra income to the farmer, and yet their management costs will be greatly reduced.
• Fruit trees - Fruit trees can be included in the banana as shade or wind break trees. Fruit trees such as mangoes, jackfruit and avocados are commonly used. Fruit harvests can be eaten by the household to diversify their nutritional needs and extra harvests sold to earn extra income.
• Timber trees - Some species of shade and windbreak trees can serve as sources of timber in the longer term. This is a long term investment for the farmer for future income needs. Tree species like Grevelia robusta, Albizia coriaria, Mesiopsis eminii and Cordia africana grow very well in the banana agroforestry system and provide good timber.