Bananas have long been a staple in the diet of Bangladesh, with their versatile use in sweet and savory dishes. Bangladesh is among the top 20 banana producing countries in the world with its production hitting 826,000 metric tonnes, amounting to a market value of $122 million in fiscal year 2020-21.
However, there are very few options for consumers in the country to find safe and branded bananas.
Unlike other products, the concept of branded bananas has not taken firm root in the country up until now.
Here comes a piece of good news for banana lovers. Recognizing the increased demand from consumers for safe foods, a group of innovative Dhaka-based agribusinesses met on June 7 with three farmer-based enterprises and the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) at a city hotel to expand the market for safe and branded bananas intended for Bangladesh's high-end market.
Seven organizations planned to undertake four distinct innovations across the banana supply chain: 1) use of fruit bags, 2) provision of pathogen free banana plantlets, 3) safe ripening, and 4) use of contract farming agreements. Integration of these four innovations is supported as part of the USAID-supported Bangladesh Feed the Future Bangladesh Horticulture, Fruits, and Non-food Crops Activity.
Contract farming, use of fruit bags, and use of pathogen free plantlets will be delivered to 6,000 farmers by the three-participating farmer-based organizations.
The tissue culturing methods for producing pathogen free banana plantlets are the only way to ensure that new banana plants are free from pests, viruses, and nematodes. The common traditional method used by banana farmers now is replanting suckers from one plant in a farmer's garden to another, but when suckers are replanted, they carry risk of pests and diseases with them.
Under this partnership, leading Bangladeshi agricultural technology organizations in the private and public sector will produce pathogen free plantlets for the three farmer-based organizations.
Fruit bags to cover banana bunches during the growth period represent one more innovation supported by the partners. In an earlier 2021 activity supported by the USAID Horticulture Activity, banana fruit bags were imported and provided to farmers by an agribusiness to demonstrate the viability of banana bags and the results were significant, including an increase in production weight per bunch and a reduction in blemishes. Because the use of banana bags reduces or eliminates the need for pesticides, the bags are a significant step in producing safe food.
The lead firm driving the purchase of high-quality bananas – a private sector - has invested in banana ripening chambers in the Gazipur area for onward supply to high-end markets across Dhaka. However, this agribusiness has been unable to obtain enough safe and high-quality bananas to take advantage of its ripening capacity.
It is now investing additional resources into development of contract farming agreements with the three farmer-based organizations. This ripening company has begun training the local organizations and farmers in banana management, including steps for safe post-harvest handling.
This network of interested private and public sector organizations is being actively supported by the USAID Horticulture team through grants and technical advisory services.
Sector-wide banana farm extension materials are in development with support from the activity, with the aim of setting a standard for a safe and high-quality banana supply chain. The activity also supports capacity development delivered to farmers and the three farmer organizations.
During the June 7 meeting, the USAID representatives joined and emphasized the need for responsible coordination among all actors and expressed high expectations for the availability of premium, quality, and safe bananas that would not only satisfy high-end consumers but also ensure a premium income for the hardworking banana farmers.
Deliberations at the meeting focused on addressing existing challenges, devising practical solutions, and formulating recommendations to propel this initiative forward.
As a result, several key action items were identified, with specific responsibilities assigned to different actors. These include documenting knowledge, training, and technological processes, ensuring the public sector's involvement in sustainable knowledge product ownership, facilitating cross-visits for learning purposes, and sharing valuable insights on the banana sector, ripening techniques, and possibilities.
The meeting concluded on an optimistic note, with all participants firmly committed to proper coordination and unwavering support in ensuring the availability of safe and branded bananas throughout Bangladesh. This groundbreaking endeavor not only holds immense potential for transforming Bangladesh's high-end market but also promises to empower banana farmers and revolutionize their income and behavior.
With the implementation of climate-smart farming practices, innovative technologies, and concerted efforts to promote safe and branded bananas, this initiative is expected to exemplify how simple interventions can lead to remarkable results.