ISHS Acta Horticulturae 540: I International Conference on Banana and Plantain for Africa
MARKET DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION POTENTIAL FOR BANANA AND PLANTAIN |
| Author: | J.K. Lynam |
| Abstract:
Bananas and plantains of the genus Musa are important components of the food system of the tropics. Together with the tropical root and tuber crops, cassava, yams, and sweet potatoes, they form a major share of starchy staple, and therefore calorie, consumption in the tropics. Yet, compared with the cereals, with which they compete, there has been far less research investment, less improvement in farm-level productivity, and therefore less potential to compete in a liberalizing world market economy and to participate in the rapidly developing urban markets of tropical countries. Nevertheless, defining the different roles and potential for bananas and plantains in the agricultural development process is critical to motivating and targeting increased investment in research and development activities on the crop. This paper attempts to set out a framework by which to evaluate that role, by drawing on the very limited amount of socio-economic research that has been done on the crop. | |
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