Constraints, and Implications of Organic Farming in Bananas and Plantains Production Sustainability in Benin

Bananas and plantains production is an important income source for millions of small farmers. The increased demand for bananas and plantains on national and international market would justify its value chain development. However, its value chain faces several constraints, of which production and marketing turn out to be the most important. This study aimed at determining and analyzing the constraints related to Bananas and Plantains value chain and showing the gaps between agroecological and agricultural practices used by farmers in southern Benin. Characterization was carried out on the seed production systems, agricultural practices, bananas and plantains production, fruit availability and commercialization constraints with farmers using individual and focus groups surveys. Bananas and plantains seedlings production and acquisition varied according to production areas. Their seedlings self-production was widespread in production areas and 26 cultivars have been identified as major. The availability of these cultivars varied across time and production areas. There were significant negative effects of agricultural practices on major banana pest’s presence. Bananas and plantains production was limited by 12 factors, from which banana plants fall related to the wind, lack of financial support to irrigate banana fields, climate changes, no availability of cultivable lands and low rainfall are revealed to be the most important. Regarding commercialization constraints, low sale prices and difficult access to markets were the most important. Better knowledge of bananas and plantains production systems would help to develop sustainable organic farming strategies to reduce the constraints identified.