Banana farming is undoubtedly one of the most lucrative agribusinesses that has proven to have high-profit potential. The demand has been soaring.

However, most farmers have been lacking the necessary knowledge to turn a banana plantation into a cash cow. An interesting fact is that once you harvest the first batch, the plants produce more batches until the end of the season. Isn’t this interesting?

Well, there are a few tips that can help you achieve your yield targets much faster. Check out what we have compiled!

Choose a variety

Your choice of variety has a significant influence on the yields. In Kenya, there are different banana varieties you can grow, like:

-Cooking types such as Uganda Green, Kisii matoke, Solio, Ishighame, N’gombe, and Nusu N'gombe

-Ripening types like Kisii sweet, Giant Cavendish, Williams hybrid, Grand Naine, Gold Finger, and Chinese dwarf

-Dual purpose: Muraru, Fhia.

For export purposes, you should consider Giant Cavendish.

Consider climatic factors

For instance, they grow at temperatures ranging from 200 C to 300C, with an optimum range of 270C. Frost conditions and extremely low temperatures below 140C will not favor banana plants. 

-Rainfall. They require moderate, well-distributed rainfall, although they thrive under irrigation.

-Soil. Like other plants, they flourish in deep, well-drained, fertile soils with a pH range of 5.5 to 7.0. The soil should not be too acidic or too alkaline and require rich organic matter. Use lime to raise the pH or sulfur to lower it to the right conditions for alkaline soils.

-Wind. Plant windbreakers to protect your plants.

In Kenya, bananas perform best in areas like Meru, Kisii, Nyamira, Embu, Nyeri, Murang'a, Kirinyaga, and Tharaka Nithi.

Time to Plant Bananas

After land preparation, it’s time to plant the suckers. During the first 3 to 4 months, the plants require a lot of water to ensure vigorous vegetative growth.

It's best to plant during the rainy season, especially between October to December and March to May. However, unless you have enough water, it's not always great to plant in the last month of the rainy season. But you still can.

In drier months, you can plant your plants and put them under irrigation. This is an excellent way of harvesting at a different time from the others and a better way to get to the market off-season. This can earn you higher prices.

Propagation

Bananas are propagated by suckers through the tissue culture method, whereby they are propagated vegetatively.

Spacing

With a spacing of 3m x 3m, you can easily have a thriving banana plantation. Double planting for varieties such as Robusta can help increase production.

Nutrition

They require a balanced application of nutrients such as potassium and nitrogen. They respond positively to manure and should be applied regularly. Water your plants after manuring. For maximum yields, apply fertilizer about 4 to 6 times during the season.

Irrigation

This is one of the most important parts. All bananas love water for maximum productivity. Ensure you apply enough water to the plants. 

Maturity and harvesting

With good care and proper management practices, bananas mature in 12 to 15 months. At this time, they are ready for harvest. A bunch takes about a week to ripen. More fruits are produced throughout the season. 

Where should you get your seedlings?

It can be pretty disappointing to purchase suckers only for them to produce tiny fruits.

At Frutunda, quality is in our DNA. We offer certified, high-quality banana suckers, agronomy support, and a banana farming package to help you set up an orchard in the right way. We are one call away! Place your order today!

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Contact me 0769623300

WhatsApp link https://wa.me/254769623300