High Density Banana Production in Taveta County Kenya: An Economic Assessment of Farmer Practices

Bananas are a major source of food, animal feed and cash income in most parts of Kenya. Bananas can be a profitable business and offer potential for high yields, particularly when taking into account factors such as demand, supply and efficient management techniques. A study was carried out comparing high density plantations of 2m x 2m with the recommended spacing (3m x 3m or 3m x 4m). The aim of the study is to assess the economic benefits of the different banana growing areas used by farmers in the Taveta sub-region. 329 farmers were interviewed using the structured questionnaire recorded in the Kobo Collect. SPSS Version 17 was used for data analysis, drawing up descriptive statistics for demographic data and calculating gross margins (costs and revenues) for different banana-growing areas. The results showed that the adoption by farmers of the 2 x 2m and 3 x 3m spacing of banana plants resulted in more production per unit area, using good agricultural practices. Where farmers used a spacing of 2 x 2m, the income base was higher at KES 803,250 and the gross margin was better at KES 364,350 per year for a 1-acre banana plantation, followed by a spacing of 3 x 3m. The maximum spacing of 2 x 2m is 1.83, followed by the maximum spacing of 3 x 3m at 1.73. Thus, the two ranges of 2 x 2m and 3 x 3m are profitable investments which should be encouraged as they yield better returns. Commercialization of bananas has the potential to transform the banana sector in Taveta; therefore, in order to reap the benefits of high-density banana production, farmers will need improved cultivation, efficient supply chain, economies of scale and access to markets.