Banana and Plantain Farmers Advised Not to Cut Leaves

The Banana Board is reminding banana and plantain farmers not to cut the leaves from their plants in anticipation of the oncoming hurricane.

Although this practice has gained popularity, the Board is imploring farmers to desist, as this can negatively affect future crops.

General Manager, Janet Ferguson Conie, said this practice can inhibit the growth of new bunches.

“We are not recommending that. But what we are telling you is, bananas are reaped every week and every two weeks for food. Because you’re not sure if those bunches are going to come down, as long as they are at the stage for harvest, you can go and reap those to ensure that you don’t lose them,” she said.

“Take a walk through your fields and if you see bunches that look like they are ready for reaping, reap those and secure them somewhere, so you can have a market for those,” she said.

For bunches that are not yet ready, the Board is asking farmers to go back in their fields and cover them.

“This is the time to do some reconnaissance. Just go through your field, look at anything that can be reaped and secure those for an early market. Take those out. The ones that are left, know where they are, because when the plants go down, you are not seeing them, they are on the ground. So take a look at where they are. Cover them up and if the roots are still connected, they will increase in size a little,” Mrs. Ferguson Conie said.

As part of disaster preparedness measures, the Banana Board, through the work of its extension officers, has been sensitising farmers on how to operate ahead of a hurricane.

This has been critical work for the Board, as bananas are highly susceptible to damage from being waterlogged and can be toppled by strong winds.

“Too much water in banana roots for more than three days can kill the plant. So, when you have a hurricane you have a lot of water settling for a while. So the first thing we do when we are telling persons preparing for the rainy season, is to clear your drain,” Mrs. Ferguson Conie said.

“Those who came to the training meeting and those who have access to the information will recall that right before this season, we were registering farmers for the catastrophe fund. That closed by the end of March and everybody was verified by the end of May. So those who are registered are prepared, and in case they have a damage, they can make a claim,” she added.

Farmers in need of assistance can contact the Banana Board at 876-922-5490.