Bananas and Food Security - Bioversity International

768 Les productions bananières / Bananas and food security – Session 4
General conclusions
More than 56% of the farmers had less than 10% of their farm under bananas and
plantains. These crops contributed less than 50% of income for 79% of the farmers. Half
grow them just for home consumption. Bananas and plantains are kept for home
consumption more often than other food crops.
All crops are produced in monoculture, but bananas and plantains can sometimes be
associated with trees near the house. Giant Cavendish is grown for export while False
Horn plantain and Bluggoe are grown for local consumption. Plantains have an established
demand in the market and a better price (100 fingers of plantains fetch US$3.50
but only US$1.50 for Bluggoe). All varieties are seriously affected by black Sigatoka.
Other constraints are Moko disease and banana weevils. Small and medium farmers do
not perceive these diseases and pests as problems. The adaptability of varieties
influences their distribution. For example, plantains are more popular in Chinandega
department than Bluggoe because of the presence of Moko disease. The opposite is the
case in Leon department because Bluggoe is more drought-tolerant.
References
Bastiaensen J. 1991. Peasants and economic development: a case-study on Nicaragua. Universiteit
Antwerpen, Antwerp, Belgium.
Bastiaensen J. 1992. The comparative economic performance of production systems in Chinandega.
Pp. 30-47 in A comparative economic analysis of agricultural produccion systems in Chinandega,
Masaya, Carazo, San Ramon, Camoapa and Wiwili. (J. Bastiaensen, ed.). Nitlapan,
Managua, Nicaragua.
MAG. 1996. Comisionomic analysis of agricultural produccion Marin Castillo E. 1988. Proyecto de
ordenamiento del sistema productivo, Regidega, Masaya, Carazo, San Ramon.