Crop protection still remains a major challenge in the production of high quality bananas in Kenya despite efforts to promote the sector, an agricultural officer said Thursday.
Nakuru County agricultural officer, Stephen Mureithi, said demonstrations are currently underway to introduce farmers to bagging of banana branches to avoid post-harvest challenges.
He revealed that the Horticultural Crop Development Authority and Amiran Kenya Limited have partnered to introduce proven and innovative technologies that will address crop protection and post-harvest management challenges.
“l urge banana farmers to use the Amiran banana bags because they have an anti-microbial effect and are effective in the control of insect pests such as thrips,” he said, adding that the bagging will protect the bananas against pests and diseases during growth and development.
The officer also noted that for Kenya to export bananas, the farmers need to ensure that the European Union production regulations are adhered to fully.
“Bagging protects the bananas from developing black batches and when they ripen they remain just yellow without any blemishes,” he stated.
He added that ripe bananas with black patches reduce their market value and they cannot be accepted in the EU market.