Namibia's agricultural sector is preparing to harvest its first locally-grown bananas during June, July, and August. This development could reduce the country's reliance on imports, as Namibia currently imports around 7,000 tonnes of bananas annually from South Africa.
Bananas are the second most consumed fruit in Namibia, following apples. To lower the import bill and boost local production, Namibia has intensified efforts in banana trial projects, with a harvest anticipated this year.
Tangeni Hangula, fruit development officer at the Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB), stated that trial projects in the Zambezi region show promise. "We are looking at a winter harvest. We started planting 2,222 seedlings, and the results at the project trial sites look very good. I can confidently say that this year, Namibia will produce its own bananas," Hangula noted.
Although expectations for a successful harvest are high, Hangula emphasized the need for ongoing efforts to establish a stable local banana industry. Data collection is crucial to assess the viability and sustainability of banana production in Namibia.
In 2023, the NAB and AvaGro, a leading agricultural solutions company, signed an agreement to develop Namibia's banana industry through research and implementation. Seedlings were produced using tissue culture, followed by field trials in various production zones with favorable climates and soil conditions.
The project has expanded to include the Etunda Green Scheme Irrigation Project in Ruacana, aiming to explore large-scale commercial banana production. Currently, small-scale production occurs in regions like Zambezi and Kavango, primarily for personal consumption.
In Africa, banana production averages a 3% growth rate. Uganda leads production in sub-Saharan Africa, followed by Rwanda, Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon. Climate challenges and diseases pose threats to banana crops.
Source: New Era Live