This archive report was first published on 28 December 2019.
December 28, 2019
Success with Tissue Culture Bananas ¶
In Kirinyaga, a farming village, Mrs. Lucy Muriithi has found a profitable venture in growing tissue culture bananas. Her one-acre piece is a testament to the success of this method, with bananas fruiting and flowering under her care.
Ms. Muriithi used to grow French beans, but it was a venture that was not profitable. She explains, 'Getting a market for French beans is not easy. Most of it ended up rotting on the farm.' In contrast, producing bananas is economical, and after rice, wheat, and maize, banana is the most consumed food worldwide.
Ms. Muriithi grows tissue culture bananas, which are propagated in a special laboratory under sterile conditions for weeks. They are later hardened in a greenhouse before being transferred to the field. This method is preferred by many locals due to its low input requirements.
However, traditional banana farming methods are prone to pests and diseases like Sigatoka, banana streak, bacterial, and fusarium wilt. Banana weevils and nematodes are common in plants from suckers, and the traditional bananas take long to mature with little yields.
Experts advise local farmers to add value to their bananas to address the problem of brokers and middlemen. Mr. James Macharia suggests that for quality and maximum produce, suckers around the mother plant should be pulled out. He advises, 'Too many compete for water and nutrients with the mother.'
Ms. Muriithi's experience with tissue culture bananas has been a success. She started with half an acre and a Sh25,000 capital five years ago. Her plants take short time to mature, and she harvests several bunches in a few weeks. Each bunch weighs 25-30kgs, and she gets water from River Thiba.
