1. IMPROVING DELIVERY OF RESEARCH OUTputS for THE BANANA INDUSTRY
Improving scalable banana agronomy for small scale farmers in highland banana cropping systems in East Africa
IMPROVING DELIVERY OF RESEARCH OUTputS for THE BANANA INDUSTRY

2. Challenges
Limited basic knowledge on banana agronomy for smallholder banana systems
Intensification of banana cropping systems is not informed by appropriate decision support tools
Limited uptake banana agronomy recommendations
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3. Banana production status
On farm ton per ha per year
Research station= 60ton per ha per year
India produces 120 tons per ha per year
LINTUL Banana estimates 130 tons per ha year
It is therefore possible to increase productivity 4 times higher to about 40tons per ha per year.
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4. Research for greater impact
System wide research; synergies and tradeoffs
Driven by bridging the yield gap
Addressing stress is a means rather than ends
Most limiting constraint
Wider stakeholder involvement; tapping into their networks

5. Urgent need for intensification of banana production in ECA
Boost banana productivity to meet increasing demand from the rising population pressure.
Research on key constraints is quite advanced Banana nutrient norms,
Dynamic crop growth model, and a
Effective pest management practices
However, these efforts are isolated in constraint, in space and in time.
Consequently, the synergies from various efforts are not sufficiently exploited to bridge the yield gaps.

6. Possible to increase productivity on-farm
Source: Wairegi et al. 2010

7. Benefit of integrated management

8. Possible to increase productivity

9. Project objectives I. Reducing the yield gap…
Generate basic information on interaction of banana growth, pest and disease management, moisture and nutrient requirements
Develop site specific recommendations based on smallholder farmer resources
II. Reducing the extension support gap…
Develop a decision support framework for development partners interacting with smallholder banana farmers
Develop capacity within the Zonal research and extension systems

10. Conceptual Framework

11. Theory of change: Delivery of project vision of Success.
Challenges
Interventions
..achieving....
..leading to...
Limited basic knowledge on banana agronomy for smallholder banana systems
Modify banana simulation models (e.g. LINTUL)
Develop site specific banana agronomy recommendations
Geo-referenced database on soil and agronomy-related constraints to banana intensification
Geo-spatial information to develop decision support applications for priority use cases.
Evidence base for the development of site-specific agronomy recommendations
Diversified input packages for banana cropping systems
Intensification of banana cropping systems is not informed by appropriate decision support tools
Produce gender responsive banana agronomy tools to meet partner demands
Mass test and validate the tools on-farm
Banana agronomy decision support tools fitting use case demands.
A package of demonstrated effective agronomic recommendations
A large number of partner organisations engaged in promoting banana agronomy recommendations
Limited uptake banana agronomy recommendations
Train research scientists on innovative agronomy, geo- spatio analysis
Facilitate the use of decision support tools by extension and development community
Sufficient scientific capacity to further the field of banana agronomy development and validation
Capacity at the development community to provide the right banana agronomy information to farmers
Improved scientific capacity for National zonal agricultural research system in agronomy research.
Capacity for extension and scaling agents increased for the uptake of banana agronomy recommendations.
Substantial uptake of above recommendations by banana farmers in the target areas and beyond

12. Anticipated impact of the project
Increased productivity of diverse banana
cropping systems
Food security, nutritional status, and income
enhanced and poverty reduced
Enhanced continuity of supply of banana to
markets
Sustainable use of natural resources and
agro-inputs

14. Probable impact value at project sites
Use case
No. Scaling agents
Total HH reached (N)
Total production increase (ton/yr)
Total value
(Price = US$120 /ton)
Enhance soil fertility (manure +fertiliser) 5
1500
1,013
115,425
Pest and disease management
1,215
138,510
Water conservation 7
2100
1,134
129,276
Intercropping 10
3000
1,080
123,120
Optimum planting density
Staggered follower sucker selection
ISFPM
270
30,780
Total 52
5000
6,871.5
783,351
Total number of households benefiting directly
25,000
Total value created at the end of the project in Uganda and Tanzania (US$)
14,256,988
Total value created 5 years after the project in Uganda and Tanzania (US$)
64,622,873

15. Banana distribution in Uganda and Tanzania
Nakaseke
Rwimi
Birere
Bukoba
Arusha
Mbeya

16. Partners IITA Bioversity LZARDI ARDI-Tengeru AfSIS ICL-fertiliser CABI
Wageningen