Grow Bananas for Improved Livelihoods and Environmental Conservation

Abstract

Banana is a source of food, livelihoods, andemployment for many rural and peri-urbanhouseholds. Banana may be used as food and fodder as wellas for handicraft. The large leaves of banana form a canopy thatprotects the soil against erosion. Bananas can be inter cropped with a variety ofcrops without suppressing yields. Banana plants may be used to control runoffwhen grown along contours of sloping land. Bananas may be used as ornamental plants.