Notes on the Economic Possibilities of Blue Sisal (Agave amaniensis)

Abstract

The production of blue sisal (Agave amaniensis) is still in the experimental stage and has not yet developed into an economic proposition. Since the discovery in 1929 of a few plants growing in a remote corner of the East African Agricultural Research Station at Amani, lack of planting material has prevented the cultivation of blue sisal on any extensive scale. The position is rapidly changing, for bulbils and suckers are now distributed to estates in larger numbers, so that the area under blue sisal is increasing annually. Within the next few years fibre should be forthcoming in exportable quanties.