Climate change could hit banana cultivation

Climate change could negatively impact banana cultivation in some of the world’s most important producing and exporting countries, a study has revealed.

Bananas are recognised as the most important fruit crop – providing food, nutrition and income for millions in both rural and urban areas across the globe.

While many reports have looked at the impact of climate change on agricultural production, the effect rising temperatures and changing rainfall has on crucial tropical crops such as the banana are less well understood.

In a new study led by Dr Dan Bebber, scientists have studied both the recent and future impact of climate change on the world’s leading banana producers and exporters.

It shows that 27 countries – accounting for 86% of the world’s dessert banana production – have on average seen increased crop yield since 1961 due to the changing climate resulting in more favourable growing conditions.

However, crucially the report also suggests that these gains could be significantly reduced, or disappear completely, by 2050 if climate change continues at its expected rate.

It suggests that 10 countries – including the world’s largest producer and consumer of banana India and the fourth largest producer, Brazil – are predicted to see a significant decline in crop yields.

Dr Bebber, from Exeter University, said: “We’re very concerned about the impact of diseases like Fusarium Wilt on bananas, but the impacts of climate change have been largely ignored.

“There will be winners and losers in coming years, and our study may stimulate vulnerable countries to prepare through investment in technologies like irrigation.”

Bananas are a vital crop.