Jamaica recently announced that it would continue to be on its guard regarding the viral diseases PDR4 and Panama Disease that have the potential to devastate the country's banana industry. As many diseases have the potential to wipe out productivity within banana and plantain farms in just two years, the country is determined to prevent any virulent diseases making their way to what is one of Jamaica's leading export crops.

PDR4 and BBTV have existed in Asia for many years and, while they are currently not present in Jamaica, they can be easily carried across the borders in infected plant tissues and soil. The Jamaican Banana Board recently reiterated the importance of visitors and returning residents adhering to quarantine and customs laws and declaring visits to farms in other countries to ensure the safety of the Jamaican crop. Farmers and professional officers are currently being trained to recognise the signs and symptoms of these crop-threatening diseases and eradication methods.

Sources of Income

Jamaica is renowned for producing sugar, coffee, and citrus fruits as well as extensive banana production, though its main source of income comes from tourism. Over 50% of the country's income comes from visitors from all over the world, with many UK tourists attracted by the weather, the surroundings, and Jamaica all-inclusive holidays. Records show that Jamaica produced around 130,000 tons of bananas in 1999, earning US $29.6 million and, while the country has other sources of income, banana production is useful not only for the economy but as part of the country's culture and cuisine. The Jamaican banana is used extensively within traditional cuisine in many breakfast, lunch, and dinner recipes, particularly within the Clarendon region of the country where banana farming is an important local industry.

Banana Production

Banana production in the Caribbean is widespread, with the edible fruit cultivated by both small farmers and larger landowners. The perennial plant may be planted in what are known as pure stands or, as in Jamaica, as part of mixed cultivation. As the crop grows a procedure known as ‘bunch sleeving' takes place, where each bunch of young bananas is covered and treated with suitable insecticide to protect it from aphids, weevils, and mites.

Harvesting occurs when the fruit is about a year old and it is cut from the tree while green, leaving new plants and suckers to grow from the roots. Carried on the heads of labourers, the bananas are transported to packing sheds where they are graded, and then sent for cleaning and wrapping before being sent in refrigerated containers to their final destination. Time is enormously important with these perishable fruits to ensure they are suitable for selling to the millions of consumers around the world.

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