The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF) in Uganda has released NARITA 17 (NAROBAN6), a Matooke banana variety. This development is a result of collaboration between the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO).
NARITA 17 shows a yield increase of 243% over the 'Mbwazirume' variety, providing higher productivity. The hybrid exhibits resistance to banana diseases like black leaf streak. This is expected to impact food security and income for Ugandan banana farmers.
The breeding process involved crossing the triploid East African Highland banana 'Entukura' with the wild diploid 'Calcutta 4' to create a disease-resistant tetraploid. This was then crossed with an improved diploid to produce NARITA 17, combining traits from wild and cultivated varieties.
Field trials in Uganda indicate NARITA 17's agronomic performance, with an average bunch weight of 25 kilograms and about 189 fingers per bunch. The plant grows to 312 centimeters at flowering and maintains a number of functional leaves, showing foliar disease resistance.
The introduction of NARITA 17 may change banana farming in Uganda. Its yield and disease resistance reduce replanting and disease management needs, potentially lowering production costs and enhancing profitability. The variety's adaptability to local conditions supports consistent production.
This release highlights the success of collaborative agricultural research. By integrating traditional knowledge with breeding techniques, IITA and NARO have developed a banana variety addressing both farmer and consumer needs.
Source: Farmers Review Africa