From the Field Embracing Banana Polyculture in Uganda
In Isingiro District, Uganda, a transformative project is underway to revolutionize banana cultivation through its conversion into a polyculture system.
The 'Diversity for Resilient Agroforestry Banana Plantations in East Africa (D4RABs)' project seeks to enhance local livelihoods, food security and biodiversity conservation while addressing the challenges posed by traditional banana monoculture cultivation. This initiative is particularly timely, given the increasing threats posed by climate change, declining soil fertility and increased pressure of pathogens.
The Need for Change
Banana monoculture has long been the norm in Isingiro, where bananas are a key cash crop for many farming households. However, this approach has led to declining productivity due to soil depletion, increased pest and disease incidence, and vulnerability to extreme weather conditions, such as droughts and heatwaves. Recognizing these challenges, the D4RABs project was designed to promote a more sustainable and resilient agricultural model by integrating diverse crops alongside bananas (particularly tree species), which can contribute to a diversification of income streams while providing critical ecosystem services, ensuring more resilience to the production systems.
Engaging Stakeholders
A participatory inception meeting brought together 57 diverse stakeholders including farmers, local officials, NGOs and community leaders to discuss the project's objectives and gather insights. Through presentations, group assignments and panel discussions, participants explored the benefits and challenges of polyculture, and shared their experiences. Some farmers reported examples of ongoing successful integration of other plant species in their banana plantations, such as the tree tomato (Solanum betaceum), a small tree native from Latin America which produces edible fruit very rich in nutrients and locally appreciated, with a promising growing market demand. The interactions experienced during the workshop revealed a very collaborative environment and a strong interest in the proposed joint activities, explicitly expressed by representatives of local institutions and farmers.
Key Recommendations
The workshop yielded several recommendations regarding activities to be included in the project to support testing and facilitate adoption of banana polyculture:
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Training and capacity building are needed for farmers to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to implement polyculture systems effectively. Activities should include workshops on best practices for crop management, pest control, and soil conservation.
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Demonstration plots should be established to showcase the benefits of polyculture, offering practical examples of crops and tree integration with bananas, and encouraging wider adoption.
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Cost-benefit analyses should be conducted to illustrate the economic advantages of integrating diverse portfolios of crops with banana cultivation, thereby providing empirical evidence to farmers about improved financial outcomes of polyculture compared to monoculture.
Addressing Gender Challenges
The project also emphasizes the importance of gender inclusion in agroforestry. Women play a crucial role in agricultural practices, often managing household food production and contributing to family income. However, they frequently face barriers to participation in decision-making processes. By addressing gender challenges and promoting women's participation in capacity building, the D4RABs project aims to create a more equitable sharing of benefits from improved agricultural practices.
A Collaborative Effort
The D4RABs project is supported by a synergy with various NGOs and stakeholders committed to improving local livelihoods and nutrition. By leveraging the experiences of trusted community leaders and fostering collaboration with multiple partners and local farmers, the project aims to produce a mindset-shift and provide the evidence that banana polyculture systems constitute a viable and sustainable option. A wide collaborative effort is essential for building trust and overcoming hesitations around the adoption of alternative practices expected to bring longer-term benefits.
In conclusion, the journey towards a more sustainable future is underway through the DARABs project, with great potential for positive change beyond the project’s boundaries. As the project progresses, it will serve as a model for other regions facing similar challenges, demonstrating the power of community-driven solutions in agriculture.
The Team
Chris J Kettle
Principal Scientist, Lead Tree Biodiversity for Resilient Landscapes
Enoch Kikulwe
Senior Scientist
Barbara Vinceti
Senior Scientist
Hannes Gaisberger
Scientist I
