Banana Plantation Project
The Banana Plantation Project was started in 2008.
Firstly 450 saplings where planted which increased to 1000 by 2009, they produced several branches of bananas by the end of the year, we did have problems during this time when we lost some saplings due to Moles attacking the roots, this was addressed by building a moat around the area and flushing them out.
There is a very high demand for good bananas, so we shall be able to sell the surplus in the markets, again ploughing back the extra capital into other projects.
We received a donation from the Swiss Tropical Institute in Switzerland of 2000 US Dollars (£1,321.21)in 2009 towards the banana plantation project, this donation helped with the cost of fencing and protection of the plantation.
2010.
Towards the end of 2009, Peter noticed that a lot of the banana trees leaves were turning brown, and the new bananas were withering on the branches. He contacted the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute(KARI) based in Kissi, southern Kenya for advice, they sent a representative to inspect the plantation, and unfortunately found that they were infected by a deadly virus called BXW, we had no option but to destroy the whole plantation by digging out the roots and cutting up or burning them.
This virus is widespread in Uganda and we purchased suckers from three different places, we managed to track the source to a supplier in Bumala who was not aware that he had diseased plants. The virus can also be spread through implements and insects.
Although this has been a huge set back, all is not lost as KARI have agreed to supply us with up to 1500 disease free suckers, at their own cost, and will support us for 3 years with technical and practical advice. We will just need to provide the labour.
All the diseased plants were destroyed in March, we have had to wait for three months to make sure the ground was free of disease before replanting The first batch of 300 suckers were planted at the end of June, the next batch will be planted in July and the last batch in August.
This Plantation will be a training, testing and teaching area for the Bumala district. Approximately quarter to half the plantation will have test bananas of different varieties, sweet, dessert and cooking.
UPDATE APRIL 2011
The Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, have now supplied our farm with 1500 virus free suckers, of different varieties. These suckers are doing well and some will be flowering this year.
The Institute are very pleased with the cleanliness of the farm and are still committed to supporting us for three years. Other agricultural Institutes from around the area, and as far as Nairobi and Uganda, have visited the farm to see how the virus affected our farm and to see how our farm is now successfully growing the different varieties of bananas.
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The Banana Plantation Prioject
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The Banana Plantation Prioject
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The Banana Plantation Prioject
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The Banana Plantation Prioject
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KARI research advisors meeting us to discuss the virus affecting our bananas
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Diseased bananas being destroyed.jpg
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Workers potting up plants using the manure we make
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Kari and interested parties meeting to discuss the banana plantation
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Virus free suckers provided by KARI we now have 1500 suckers
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This is the result of the BXW Virus that attacked our farm
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BXW Virus explained and how to deal with it
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