(Murang’a) – Farmers in Maragua constituency, Murang’a County, are shifting from traditional banana farming to plantain bananas, drawn by better profits and a growing demand for the crop.
Increased losses and low returns from common bananas have led farmers like Fredrick Kinyanjui to embrace plantain farming. Kinyanjui, who began cultivating plantains in 2020, said middlemen in the value chain reduced profits from traditional bananas, making the venture unsustainable.
“A banana stem takes almost a year to mature, yet it fetches as little as KES 10 ($0.07) per kilogram. That’s why I replaced them with plantains, which earn up to five times more,” Kinyanjui said while tending his two-acre farm in Kamahuha.
He now manages over 250 plantain banana stems, an expansion from the initial 84 mother plants he started with three years ago.
Plantains mature within 9 to 12 months when properly irrigated. They require acidic soil with a pH of 5.5, adequate watering, mulching, and regular application of manure or urea fertilizer. Unlike common bananas, plantains are larger, tougher, and more resistant to pests and diseases, making them easier to manage and more profitable.
Kinyanjui sells mature plantains at a farm gate price of KES 60 ($0.40) per kilogram, significantly higher than traditional bananas, which sell at KES 200 ($1.33) for a 60kg bunch. In contrast, the price of plantain bananas per kilogram ranges from KES 300 to KES 450 ($2 to $3). He also earns by selling plantain suckers at KES 300 ($2) each and providing agronomic support to farmers interested in the crop.
| Comparison of Banana Prices | Traditional Bananas (KES/USD) | Plantain Bananas (KES/USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Farm Gate Price (per kg) | 10 ($0.07) | 60 ($0.40) |
| Retail Price (per kg) | 6.7–7.5 ($0.05–$0.05) | 300–450 ($2–$3) |
| Price of Suckers (per sucker) | N/A | 300 ($2) |
Apart from economic benefits, plantains offer significant health advantages. High in fiber, potassium, antioxidants, and vitamin C, they promote cardiovascular health, aid digestion, and help with weight management.
Kinyanjui advised farmers unable to switch to plantains to consider adding value to their bananas by processing them into products that fetch better prices and have a longer shelf life.