Bananas and Food Security - Bioversity International

Afrique / Africa : K.R. Green et al.
had inadequate knowledge of the technique or that it was awkward to transport suckers
for treatment and then to the farm for planting. In the three villages studied, the
problem of equipment has been alleviated since farmers now have access to a
community hot water tank, while education is provided through field days in which
interested farmers have the opportunity to learn from trained farmers, MoFA staff and
IITA personnel. The problem of equipment would apply to other areas where tanks are
not available, although it has been reported that some farmers improvise, for example
using a large container as a tank and the melting point of candle wax as a temperature
check (S. Adjei-Nsiah and F. Brentu, pers. comm.).
Nursery production was seen to provide a plentiful supply of clean planting material
so that suckers do not have to be purchased. In addition, one farmer observed that the
nursery could be planted during the dry season (if a water source was available) or the
rainy season. One farmer complained, however, that the nursery process was laborious,
while others said it was difficult to find a suitable location with water.
The general impressions of the farmers were that the new management strategies for
plantain production are good, effective in reducing pest and disease attack and
increasing plantain output. Members of the farmer groups made the following general
comments:
“These new management techniques enable one to prolong the life span of the
plantain farm from one year to about three years.”
“Plantain can survive on the farm for several years before dying off, unlike previous
years where the plant dies off after one harvest.”
“Have been able to increase plantain output through the new management
techniques and was able to do it alone.”
“Good and there is no difference in the taste of plantain fruits.”
“Methods are very good; able to save cost of acquiring chemical to control pest.”
Farmers who have not been involved in collaborative trials made the following
comments:
“Results seen were impressive: high output.”
“Inspired by adopters.”
“Impressed about more suckers being obtained through the split corm method.”
“Want to compare the three methods with the old system.”
From Table 1 it can be seen that for the majority of farmers (>75%) in each of the
villages, paring was the preferred method for adoption. Moreover, more than half the
participants in Nyinahin and Gyedu indicated that they were interested in undertaking
nursery production, while more than a third showed interest in the hot-water treatment.
In Gyedu and Nyinahin, approximately 40% of farmers said they intended to adopt one
strategy, while the remainder indicated that they would adopt two or three strategies.
The vast majority of farmers in Pramkese (92.3%), however, were interested in adopting
only one strategy. In general, farmers in Gyedu were the most enthusiastic regarding the
adoption of new management strategies, closely followed by Nyinahin and then
Pramkese, probably because Gyedu is a area of particular importance for plantain
production (Schill et al. 1997).
703