Bananas and Food Security - Bioversity International

Afrique - Africa : E. Akyeampong
Production systems
Three plantain production systems can be identified in West and Central Africa namely
production in distant fields under shifting cultivation, production next to homestead in
the rural areas or in backyards in the urban centres and monoculture production. These
systems are distinguished from each other by the objective of the farmer, the niche
where the production takes place and the type of management (including inputs and
crop species associated with the plantain) all of which influence the yield of the crop.
Plantains mixed with other crops in distant fields
The objective of the farmer in cultivating plantain mixed with other crops is subsistence.
It is only after the demand for home consumption is satisfied that any are sold.
In this system, plantain is produced on smallholdings (average farm sizes < 1 ha) in
association with different traditional food crops ranging from upland rice to cassava and
with tree crops (coffee, cocoa etc.). Recently, inter-cropping with non-traditional crops
such as soybean and melons is being encouraged (Aiyelaagbe and Jalaoso 1996, Jalaoso
et al. 1996).
This system is established by clearing the forest, burning the trash and the planting
the plantain and other crops planted. Sometimes, the plantain suckers are planted
before the trash is burnt. Where the intercrop will be planted much later than the
plantain or only volunteer crops such as cocoyam (macabo) would be allowed to grow,
the trash left unburned as mulch. The sequence of planting of the plantain and the
associated crops depends, among others, on the developmental cycle and importance
(cash, food security, preferences) of the crops. Nonetheless, in general, the intercrops,
having short cycles, mature and are harvested before the canopy of the plantain closes.
Sometimes, the plantain is relay-planted when the other crops are nearing maturity.
Fruit production in this systems is limited to the parent crop and typically one ratoon
crop after which the field is left to fallow because of very low yields after the mother
crop. This phenomenon of rapid yield decline after the parent crop has been attributed
to high mat formation, reduced root ramification, inhibited suckering low levels of soil
organic matter and the presence of pests and diseases (Braide and Wilson 1980,
Swennen and Vuylsteke 1989).
Reported yields are as low as 5 t/ha in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Ba
Kumfifutu 1996), 6 t/ha in Ghana (Hemeng et al. 1996), 10 t/ha in Central Africa
Republic (Mbetid-Bessane 1997) and 15 t/ha in Eastern Nigeria (Echibiri 1996). On
fertile volcanic soils in Cameroon, yields may reach 26 t/ha (Ngalani, 1996). The yields of
plantain in this system are low because of constraints such as diseases and pests
(including weeds), lodging (of plants weakened by infestation of weevils and
nematodes), inherent low soil fertility, poor crop and soil management, and the use of
poor quality planting materials (Arene 1996).
The principal disease of Musa in West and Central Africa is black Sigatoka, caused by
the fungus Mycosphaerella fijiensis to which most known cultivars of plantain in the
sub-region are susceptible. Guinea is the only country in the sub-region where this
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