Maximizing Organic Growth: Honing in on Banana Production in Uganda

Mawejje Joseph making a compost pile using carbon, nitrogen, soil, and water.”

Written By: Quinn Ssemakula

Key Personnel: Francis Lubega

Program: Uganda Agriculture

Why the Incorporation of Local Banana Varieties in the Main Garden?

For years the Community Garden has had a large portion devoted solely to the growth of 3 types of Bananas. However, production was low and pest infestation was persistent. But as we continue to develop our garden for the purposes of educating our visitors,, Banana cultivation is now undergoing a shift from having so many yet less productive plants on a huge expanse of land to now having a few selected breeds on designated small portions of the garden with the potential to give a substantial output. According to the manager, Francis Lubega, considerations for putting more emphasis on Banana production were made based on an analysis of indigenous food and cash crops that have the potential to be mostly tried, inquired about, and consumed when tourists or other local farmers visit.

Francis Lubega- "We want to give people a feel of how the food that's important to us in this part of the world is grown & prepared, and then help more local farmers integrate the use of organic methods into their farming practice."

Is Organic Farming Practicable?

Bananas are both versatile and are a huge part of the rural economy. The main varieties of focus in the Kabonge Faithwells Garden are largely the plantains, locally known as 'Matooke' which are an important part of African cuisines. Supplementing these with slightly smaller portions of the garden are the yellow bananas. I.e the Sugar/lady finger bananas, locally known as 'Sukali Ndiizi' and an indigenous breed of the sweet Cavendish bananas, 'Bogoya'.

Sweet Cavendish banana ready to be harvested.

Now, when it comes to Organic farming, lead manager Francis explains that including Banana plants in the garden necessitated a shift from the previously used double digs to making the required adjustments like digging holes that are '2 ft deep and '3 ft wide to act as plates/bases loaded with soil that's been softened and mixed with compost to enrich it. For now, the newly planted Bananas are intercropped with Cassava but plans have been made to make larger holes after the latter has been harvested.

Regarding the availability of compost, there are always 2 rows of compost piles in the garden; turned every 3 weeks and ready to use after 3 months. Raw materials like old banana fibers, exhausted soil, and excess animal fodder hedges are cut and used in the composting process. As a new development, cow dung is now integrated into the ready compost to make it even richer.

In the future, the plan is to practice more animal husbandry by including animals such as goats, rabbits, and chickens. Though commercially these often serve as sources of meat, their manure will be a resourceful addition to what already exists. This will help us demonstrate that crop growing and animal rearing are interdependent.

Sweet Cavendish banana suckers spaced on 10 foot centers, planted in 3 foot by 2 foot holes with compost.

Combating Pest Infestations

These plants are predominantly affected by pests like weevils and Caterpillars, especially in the dry season. To prevent devastating damage, a special organic concoction of hot red pepper, Ash, Urine, and other components is poured around the plants to repel the weevils. Additionally, one garden portion measuring 50 by 41' ft has been allocated for growing specific vegetable plants like garlic, Onions, and Carrots, and specific legumes with rougher leaves to act as repellants and deterrents for certain flies. Another important component in maintaining soil health and improving pest repulsion is the constant weeding coupled with the removal of all dead banana fibers that might harbor pests and instead using Mulches that cover the ground & retain moisture.

“Organic methods are practicable, and some models demonstrated to local farmers in previous gardening seminars have over time been adapted and employed in their villages”

-Francis Lubega

Again, this planting season there are marked-off portions of the garden that will be devoted solely to the growing of uniquely African food crops like yams, potatoes, some corn, and a variety of legumes. In addition, more fruits & Vegetables are to be produced. These will include watermelon, papaya, pineapples(will investigate to know which types best cope with the available soil types), Cucumbers, and finally passion fruits (exotic breeds).