Kirinyaga farmers say forming a marketing group has enabled them fetch better prices for their bananas as well as start value addition of the produce.
Karinga Banana Growers chairperson Freciah Kinyua says the group formed in 2010, brought together over 30 farmers from Karinga village in Kirinyaga central, Kirinyaga county.
Kinyua who ventured into banana farming in 1999 and has put about 2.5 acres under the plant, says selling the produce together has given them bargaining power compared to when they did so individually.
The same has also enabled them to add value to their bananas where they process them into flour which they use to fortify sorghum, millet and maize flour among others.
While green bananas fetch Sh16 per kilo, value added ones fetch up to Sh200 per kilo. Their target market is Nairobi.
“When we do value addition, we are able to earn more than when we sell them while green," she says.
"We are now able to harvest our bananas and process them into flour. We plan to start making banana wine, chips and crisps.”
Kinyua grows a variety of indigenous bananas and plantain, which is a new variety in the country.
Biggest bunch of bananas can weigh up to 70kgs but on average, most of their bunches weigh about 30kgs.
Comparing bananas to other cash crops like coffee, tea or even maize, Kinyua says bananas fetch better earnings.
Jane Wanjiru, a member, says coming together gave them a bargaining power enabling them to earn better than when they were selling the produce individually.
"While in a group, we are the ones who determine the prices compared to when we were selling individually when brokers took advantage and dictated the prices,” she said.
To make the flour, the bananas are weighed after harvesting, cleaned, peeled, sliced, cleaned again, dried and then ground.
Ten kilos of peeled bananas can make one kilo of flour.
Nothing goes to waste, the peelings, stems and leaves are used as fodder for animals.
A banana takes eight months from planting to maturity at which point they bear fruits which are ready for harvesting in five months.
Duncan Muriithi said they are looking forward to expanding the venture where they will be distributing branded and packaged banana crisps, chips and flour to schools, hospitals, supermarkets and other outlets.
Value addition gives their bananas a longer shelf life as they look for a market.
"It has also helped in minimising post-harvest losses as we are able to process and store bananas when they are in plenty especially during the rainy season,” he says.
But banana farming is not without challenges, Muriithi says they cannot depend solely on rain fed agriculture and therefore need water for irrigation which is scarce.
There is also the high cost of labour due to the high cost of living.
“Initially, we used to pay casual labourers Sh300 per day but they have now raised the amount to between Sh400 and Sh500 per day," he adds.
The other challenges include pests and diseases which they prevent by spraying.