Varsity unveils Sh10m lab to boost banana farming in Taita Taveta

Taita Taveta county government leaders and Taita Taveta University officials during the launch of Sh10 million tissue culture banana laboratory at TTU Ngerenyi Campus in Mwatate sub county on October 29, 2024. [Renson Mnyamwezi, Standard]

Taita Taveta University (TTU) has established a Sh10 million banana tissue culture laboratory to boost the crop's production in the county.

TTU Deputy Vice-Chancellor Christine Onyango said the facility will produce at least 18,000 banana seedlings in the first phase, and support sustainable agriculture and climate resilience.

“The cutting-edge facility at TTU Ngerenyi Campus has cost more than Sh10 million. The facility promises to benefit our students, researchers, and farmers in the region,” said Prof Onyango.

Taita Taveta Deputy Governor Christine Kilalo said the county is currently ranked as the second largest producer of bananas after Kisii county in the country.

Ms Kilalo disclosed that about 17,000 households are engaged in banana production in the region and a further 10,000 in banana-related businesses.

She noted that currently, the area under banana production is 6,638 hectares.

The deputy governor said more than 226,448 metric tons of bananas valued at Sh3.6 billion are produced annually.

Banana varieties grown in the region are grand Nain, Williams, Cavendish varieties, Valery, High Noon, Gross Mitchel. Other local varieties are matoke, ijighu, imange, and sweet bananas.

“There is high demand for tissue culture banana seedlings and the county requires a total of about 200,000 seedlings per year and the land will solve the demand,” said the deputy governor.

“We are excited to support the cottage industry that uses banana pseudo-stems, an environmental nuisance for farmers, to create fabric for sanitary kits,” added Kilalo.

Prof Onyango said the lab would enhance sustainable food security, economic growth and empower the youth and serve as a model for integrating gender equity into Science, Technology, Engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

 “The state-of-the-art laboratory will act as a multiplication centre for bananas to drive agricultural innovation, sustainability, and economic growth in the region which will become a leader in tissue culture production contributing significantly to the agricultural sector of Kenya,” she said.

The DVC explained that the lab represents a bridge to new research opportunities, an incubator for future scientists, and a source of sustainable economic development in the region.

She said the project was funded by the TTU in conjunction with the Micro Enterprise Support Programme Trust (MESPT under the DANIDA market development partnership programme (DMDP).

“The county provided land for the mega project and joined forces with TTU to expand the laboratory from a predominately research and training facility to a commercial-scale operation,” she disclosed.

The culture laboratory is fully equipped and ready to make a tangible impact on the socio-economic status of the local community that is entirely dependent on rain-fed agriculture.

Prof Onyango informed the deputy governor that between March and May 2025, the facility is expected to release the first commercial batch of 18,000 banana seedlings to the local farmers.

“We have transformed what once a stalled project into a beacon of hope and opportunity for farmers, students, and researchers alike,” she said.

“The benefits of this laboratory go beyond just providing clean planting materials. It represents a long-term commitment to sustainable agricultural practices, knowledge transfer, and regional development,” she added.

“The lab would serve as a hub for research, training, and ultimately, the commercial production of tissue culture bananas.”

MESPT CEO Rebecca Amukhoye said the lab is expected to enhance the banana value chain for smallholder farmers and boost livelihoods.

She said the lab will spur job creation in Kenya by enhancing the competitiveness of the banana sector in the region.

“We will help farmers produce high-quality bananas that will meet international market standards,” said Amukhoya, adding that banana packaging for smallholder farmers is yet to be achieved in terms of commercialization.

The CEO revealed they are collaborating with local farmers in Taveta Sub County to produce organic bananas, ensuring that high-quality bananas are sufficiently produced to meet the market's strong demand.

“We are supporting market-oriented catalytic programmes that has leveraged resources,” said Amukhoya.