BANANA (MUSA SPP.) GROWING FOR EXPORT: INNOVATIVE APPROACHES IN PRODUCTION AND MARKETING - THE NEED FOR PARTNERSHIPS

C. Fehr
This study elaborates alternative ways to link subsistence-based banana (Musa spp.) growing systems to international markets, and the need for scientific and marketing partnerships. As part of the health food and organic movement, exotic dried fruits like banana are becoming increasingly more popular. At the same time, the majority of bananas grown in East Africa derive from smallholder farms; few of these have the capacity to cater for the volumes demanded by the predominantly overseas markets. Key challenges are outlined. In addition to a lack in capacity, export to the international markets is hampered by skill deficits and high overhead costs, associated with producing and exporting goods from the region. As a result, the potential contribution to rural poverty eradication rarely materializes. Gourmet Gardens has developed a range of alternative strategies to exploit this market. Farmers are assisted in forming producer organizations and to pool their production. Centralized processing facilities permit to overcome problems related to product quality and overhead costs. Another novelty in the project is the use of organic and fair trade certification and of trademarking to brand and to add value to products. Finally, in light of the rapidly changing environmental, social and market challenges, the company strongly depends on professional and functioning partnerships and cooperation.
Fehr, C. (2010). BANANA (MUSA SPP.) GROWING FOR EXPORT: INNOVATIVE APPROACHES IN PRODUCTION AND MARKETING - THE NEED FOR PARTNERSHIPS. Acta Hortic. 879, 53-56
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2010.879.2
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2010.879.2
bananas, dried fruits, niche markets, organic and fair trade certification subsistence farming, value adding
English

Acta Horticulturae