Growing Food: A Guide to Food Production

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and rot easily in transport, and have a short storage life.

Banana

Musa spp.

More bananas are grown every year than all other fruits except grapes. In 2004,
FAO estimated the global world production to be 71 million metric tons (MT), of
which only about 12 million MT reach international trade. Nevertheless, bananas are
big business; in terms of the world trade in agricultural produce they are fifth, after
cereals, sugar, coffee and cocoa. About two-thirds of world exports are controlled by
three corporations, Chiquita, Dole and Del Monte which in effect between them
control the supply and pricing of that sector of exported bananas.
About half of the bananas grown are eaten as a raw fruit, and the other half, the
plantains, are eaten as a cooked vegetable. Plantains are a truly multi-purpose crop,
as described in the penultimate paragraph of this piece, “Utilisation”.
When grown in large plantations, insect and disease damage is controlled by
applying a cocktail of insecticides, fungicides, herbicides and disinfectants. In
poorer countries, in central America for example, excessive amounts are often
applied which results in serious health problems for many of the workers in the
plantations, as well as accumulation in the soil of contaminants left in the plant
residues, reduction of biodiversity and even soil sterility. Organic methods of
production will inevitably increase dramatically as consumer awareness also
increases.
Outside of the tropics two varieties only predominate: Gros Michel, which is
susceptible to Panama disease (wilt) and leaf spot (Sigatoga) but tolerant of
nematode worm; and Cavendish which is resistant to wilt but susceptible to leaf spot
and worms. Varieties with good resistance to all three have not yet been developed.
Nutritionally, one banana provides more than an adult’s daily requirements of

Ripe fruit (75% water) contains up to 22% carbohydrate, mainly as sugar, and is a
good source of Vitamins A and C.
Botanical Classification, or taxonomy, of bananas is complicated, and various
versions exist. The following interpretation is one of the most widely accepted of
this complex plant family:

potassium (about 380 mg) and also a large amount of energy (90 calories per 100 g).

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The trees do not tolerate waterlogged soil or excessive wind.

The fruits must be already almost mature before they are picked; they then bruise

The root system is shallow and so is easily damaged, when intercropped for

example, and the trees need regular rainfall or irrigation.

GROWING FOOD – THE FOOD PRODUCTION HANDBOOK

Platano (Spanish); Fig (West Indies); Kela (Pashtu & Dari/Persian); Muz (Ethiopia)