Residents in county are ditching maize for bananas

Mzee Nimrod Mbeta, 64, (right) admires his banana flanked by Elly Odero, a trainer of trainers for farmers who embraced farming farming of Tissue Culture Bananas on April 18, 2024. [Brian Kisanji, Standard]

The initiative to encourage banana farming is a collaboration between the Vihiga County government and the Agriculture Sector Development Support Program (ASDSP). Recently, 1500 tissue culture banana plantlets were distributed to over 300 selected farmers across the county. Nicholas Kitungulu, Vihiga County Agriculture Executive, emphasiSed the importance of farmers caring for the plantlets and working closely with agricultural extension officers for optimal produce.

Banana farming in Vihiga is seen as a means for farmers to adopt climate-smart agriculture, especially in the face of prolonged dry seasons due to climate change. Mary Muema, ASDSP Vihiga county coordinator, highlighted the need for smart farming techniques for successful banana cultivation.

The venture has seen significant growth, with over 9000 acres now dedicated to banana cultivation compared to 3000 acres in 2018. Value addition prospects have also emerged, with the establishment of processing groups like Jitahidi Banana Cottage Processing Group, which received a Banana Crisps Processing machine from the county government and its partners in 2021.

The Vihiga County government has been proactive in supporting banana farmers, including efforts to contain the Banana Xanthomones Wilt (BXW) disease, which threatened the crop in the area.