The 4th Global Conference of The World Banana Forum (WBF), hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), opened at FAO headquarters today to discuss an array of challenges faced by banana producers, including the impacts of the climate crisis, high energy and fertilizer costs, and the spread of the destructive Fusarium wilt Tropical Race 4 (TR4) disease.
In his opening remarks to the WBF, FAO Director-General QU Dongyu highlighted the importance of banana in several aspects: "Bananas are among the most produced, traded and consumed fruits globally, with more than 1000 varieties produced worldwide they provide vital nutrients to many populations."
Qu noted that the banana sector is particularly significant in some of the least developed and low-income food-deficit countries, where it contributes not only to household food security as a staple, but also to job creation and income generation as a cash crop. The Director-General also highlighted that he hoped that the conference would benefit smallholders the most as they continue to be a priority.
"Income from growing bananas can account for up to three quarters of the total monthly household income for smallholder farmers and generate over $10 billion in export revenues annually, the bulk of which accrues to developing countries."
The conference is aimed at finding ways to boost the banana sector, which faces several constraints including high costs of transportation, energy, and inputs, in particular fertilizer prices, and the spread of diseases such as TR4.
In response to the various constraints, the sector should "turn these challenges into opportunities through close collaboration by partners across the banana sector," the FAO Director-General said. He called for all stakeholders to work together to boost investments and adopt more sustainable production practices.
Qu also noted that high inflation has reduced the purchasing power of consumers, placing bananas under an increasing competition from various tropical fruits. "Better market access will require substantial investment of resources, including financial."
Among other participants in the Forum's opening event, were Danilo Palacios, Minister of Agriculture of Ecuador, the world's largest banana exporter, as well as representatives from Belgium, Cameroon, the European Commission, the International Labour Organization, the Latin American and Caribbean Network of Fairtrade Small Producers and Workers (CLAC) and the Coordinating Body of Latin American Banana and Agro-Industrial Unions (COLSIBA).
For more information:
Francis Markus
FAO
Email: Francis.Markus@fao.org
Tel.: (+39) 06 570 53625
Email: FAO-Newsroom@fao.org