A new variety of bananas being grown in Taita Taveta has marvelled Kenyans.
Unlike other varieties, this type of banana used to grow in the wild and it is only recently that residents of Taita Taveta started growing it.
Locals use the new variety to diversify their banana production and seek new markets for their produce.
“In Taita hills, we have wild bananas (masengerugu) which have big seeds,” Geoffrey Aiyasa, a resident of Taita Taveta explained how the bananas are different from other varieties grown in Kenya.
Aiyasa added that the leaves of wild bananas are also different from other grown varieties.
“The leaves have spikes and unlike other varieties, we cannot use them to feed our livestock,” he explains.
A section of Kenyans wanted to know what was special about wild bananas and why they should be grown as an alternative.
“It’s the original banana, not the modified ones we take every day and it is also sweeter,” Aiyasa answered the eager audience.
Kimathi M’itiri commenting on Twitter revealed that he grows the bananas and has extra benefits.
“The leaves are good in packaging perishables and the seeds in the fruit have a medicinal powder used to treat wounds,” M’itiri remarked.
Kenyans.co.ke sought from experts whether the wild banana can be used to diversify farming and also if there was medicinal value in the seeds.
Speaking exclusively to Kenyans.co.ke Okisegere Ojepat, a food expert, commended Taita Taveta residents for diversifying their farming.
“It is a good step they are taking to attain food security and it should be encouraged,” Ojepat indicated in the exclusive interview.
On whether the bananas can find regional and international markets he remarked, “At the moment that is not possible, they can only grow and sell the bananas locally.”
“There are set laws and procedures if you want to export farm produce, the banana variety has to be tested by experts and relevant government agencies,” he advised.
The testing will also reveal if it is true that the bananas have any medicinal value as stated by M’itiri.
A 2021 research by Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), found that Taita Taveta County was the second highest producer of Bananas in Kenya after Meru County.
