Banana production systems: Identification of alternative systems for more sustainable production

Bellamy, Angelina Sanderson

Abstract

Large-scale, monoculture production systems dependent on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, increase yields, but are costly and have deleterious impacts on human health and the environment. This research investigates variations in banana production practices in Costa Rica, to identify alternative systems that combine high productivity and profitability, with reduced reliance on agrochemicals. Farm workers were observed during daily production activities; 39 banana producers and 8 extension workers/researchers were interviewed; and a review of field experiments conducted by the National Banana Corporation between 1997 and 2002 was made. Correspondence analysis showed that there is no structured variation in large-scale banana producers’ practices, but two other banana production systems were identified: a small-scale organic system and a small-scale conventional coffee–banana intercropped system. Field-scale research may reveal ways that these practices can be scaled up to achieve a productive and profitable system producing high-quality export bananas with fewer or no pesticides.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 7, 2012
• Online Publication Date: Sep 29, 2012
• Publication Date: Apr 1, 2013
• Deposit Date: May 28, 2021
• Journal: AMBIO
• Print ISSN: 0044-7447
• Electronic ISSN: 1654-7209
• Publisher: Springer (part of Springer Nature)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 42
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 334-343
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-012-0341-y
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/7197617