Despite bananas being the world's most exported fruit, banana production faces a number of challenges, primarily the growing concerns around the narrow genetic base, increasing pressure to develop new and improve existing varieties, and the need to make banana production more sustainable.
What are the problems of the banana industry?
The banana industry consumes more agrochemicals than any other in the world, except cotton. Some of these chemicals are classified as hazardous by the World Health Organisation. Agrochemical use pollutes water supplies, contaminates soils, and can have devastating impacts on worker health.
What is a major problem with banana plantations?
Major environmental problems arise from the production of bananas for export or from large-scale commercial production of bananas for local markets. These include habitat conversion, soil erosion and degradation, pollution from agrochemical use, solid waste, and water usage.