Comments on: Banana + Coffee = More http://r4dreview.org/2008/09/banana-coffee-more/ Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:16:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Piet van Asten http://r4dreview.org/2008/09/banana-coffee-more/comment-page-1/#comment-2456 Piet van Asten Thu, 03 Sep 2009 14:40:36 +0000 http://r4dreview.adapa.si/?p=82#comment-2456 Thanks Stephen for your comment on this article. Indeed, we realize that particularly in smallholder farming systems with limited access to resources and a strong desire from farmers to spread risks, coffee banana intercropping is providing a lot of benefits for the farmer. In Burundi, we have discovered during recent surveys that an increasing number of farmers are already intercropping coffee and banana, contrary with what was recommended in the past in Burundi. ISABU has recognized that this has to be investigated and together with them we are currently conducting research on the possibility to intercrop banana and Arabica coffee in Burundi. Burundi is still very careful when it comes to spreading new coffee intercrop recommendations. Understandably, they first want to be able to await the results from ongoing field trials. Coffee is by far the biggest foreign revenue source for the country and they don't want to risk yield losses. We understand this cautious approach, but are quite excited about the potential that this research could bring to Burundian farmers. If the intercropping works in Burundi as it does in Uganda, then this would give benefits to both farmers and the country, provided farmers do not only introduce banana in their coffee field, but also introduce coffee in their banana field. Both crops have to be carefully managed and it only works if plant densities and sizes are controlled. In addition, for both banana and coffee, it's important not to disturb their superficial root systems too much. Hence, if farmers opt to plant beans in their coffee and banana fields, then that should be preferably be done by practicing zero-tillage and mulching. We are currently conducting a number of on-farm and on-station trials on that in Burundi together with ISABU. We look forward to explore these technologies further with other partners. Thanks Stephen for your comment on this article. Indeed, we realize that particularly in smallholder farming systems with limited access to resources and a strong desire from farmers to spread risks, coffee banana intercropping is providing a lot of benefits for the farmer. In Burundi, we have discovered during recent surveys that an increasing number of farmers are already intercropping coffee and banana, contrary with what was recommended in the past in Burundi. ISABU has recognized that this has to be investigated and together with them we are currently conducting research on the possibility to intercrop banana and Arabica coffee in Burundi. Burundi is still very careful when it comes to spreading new coffee intercrop recommendations. Understandably, they first want to be able to await the results from ongoing field trials. Coffee is by far the biggest foreign revenue source for the country and they don’t want to risk yield losses. We understand this cautious approach, but are quite excited about the potential that this research could bring to Burundian farmers. If the intercropping works in Burundi as it does in Uganda, then this would give benefits to both farmers and the country, provided farmers do not only introduce banana in their coffee field, but also introduce coffee in their banana field. Both crops have to be carefully managed and it only works if plant densities and sizes are controlled. In addition, for both banana and coffee, it’s important not to disturb their superficial root systems too much. Hence, if farmers opt to plant beans in their coffee and banana fields, then that should be preferably be done by practicing zero-tillage and mulching. We are currently conducting a number of on-farm and on-station trials on that in Burundi together with ISABU. We look forward to explore these technologies further with other partners.

]]> By: Stephen Stordy http://r4dreview.org/2008/09/banana-coffee-more/comment-page-1/#comment-2310 Stephen Stordy Mon, 17 Aug 2009 10:25:45 +0000 http://r4dreview.adapa.si/?p=82#comment-2310 This is very important research for Burundi, where coffee production is in decline and coffeee growers are not allowed to intercrop their coffee with banana. I believe that the revenue of coffee growers would increase if they were allowed to intercrop with banana - although the density of tree/ha would have to be reduced, the controlled planting of banana would encourage improved mulching and management of the coffee trees. More research is urgently needed. This is very important research for Burundi, where coffee production is in decline and coffeee growers are not allowed to intercrop their coffee with banana. I believe that the revenue of coffee growers would increase if they were allowed to intercrop with banana - although the density of tree/ha would have to be reduced, the controlled planting of banana would encourage improved mulching and management of the coffee trees. More research is urgently needed.

]]> By: ben http://r4dreview.org/2008/09/banana-coffee-more/comment-page-1/#comment-76 ben Wed, 10 Dec 2008 23:04:32 +0000 http://r4dreview.adapa.si/?p=82#comment-76 Straight bananas = More. This is an interesting article. Someone much cleverer than myself recently wrote an exposé on straight bananas as an environmentally sustainable choice. Straight bananas are probably something worth exploring. You can read about it here... http://benaston.com/2008/12/09/bananas-bananas/ Straight bananas = More.

This is an interesting article. Someone much cleverer than myself recently wrote an exposé on straight bananas as an environmentally sustainable choice.

Straight bananas are probably something worth exploring.

You can read about it here…
http://benaston.com/2008/12/09/bananas-bananas/

]]> By: Mario Serracin http://r4dreview.org/2008/09/banana-coffee-more/comment-page-1/#comment-57 Mario Serracin Sun, 07 Dec 2008 10:04:05 +0000 http://r4dreview.adapa.si/?p=82#comment-57 Very interesting projects and results. Congratulations! We are very interested in supporting the production and market of specialty arabica & organic coffee from these production systems, in collaborative projects in Rwanda. Mario Serracin. Plant Pathologist, www.rogersfamilyco.com Very interesting projects and results. Congratulations!
We are very interested in supporting the production and market of specialty arabica & organic coffee from these production systems, in collaborative projects in Rwanda. Mario Serracin. Plant Pathologist, http://www.rogersfamilyco.com

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