Banana Production in Africa
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| ? Bananas and plantains are the world’s fourth most important food crop and are of critical importance to the food security and income generation of more than 70 million Africans. There are various types of banana unique to Africa, and these can be eaten fresh, cooked, fried and processed to be served as baby food, juice and beer. East African Highland cooking banana (EAHB) and plantain makes up approximately 70% of all bananas grown on the continent. People living in the highlands of central Africa eat more bananas than anyone else in the world, deriving 35% of their daily calories from the crop. In the lowland of the Congo basin, farmers grow a greater diversity of plantains than anywhere in the world. Moreover, these perennial plants are the backbone of many farming systems as they produce fruits the year round, protect the soil from erosion, and survive floods, drought and civil conflict. Sweet dessert bananas are grown everywhere and are consumed as a snack, but they form a smaller portion of the total African crop. The Cavendish banana, which dominates export markets worldwide, is now being planted in increasing quantities on large commercial farms in western, eastern and southern Africa.?? | ?   |
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