Adoption of banana improvement technologies to curb the HIV-poverty-malnutrition cycle

The Lake Victoria basin (LVB) has the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence in the East African community. The disease, which affects the most productive age group (15-49 years) in the population, negatively affects smallholder agriculture, food security and the livelihoods of infected people and whole communities. HIV thus contributes directly and indirectly to the vicious cycle of poverty and malnutrition. Banana tissue culture technology, value addition and efficient marketing strategies were identified as key complementary interventions to break this cycle among people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) and other affected groups in the LVB. This paper reports on dissemination of banana tissue culture (TC) technology to address food insecurity, malnutrition and poverty among PLWHAs in Rachuonyo Sub County, Kenya. A rapid micropropagation protocol for two farmer-preferred cultivars was developed. Comparison of the performance of TC and conventionally produced bananas on farmersRSQUO fields was also undertaken. Better performance and high acceptability of TC bananas has been demonstrated. The project has had considerable impact among the PLWHA groups by enhancing household food security, household income and general wellbeing.