New banana varieties lift yields and incomes for farmers in Tanzania

TANZANIA – Banana farming in Tanzania’s Kagera region is gaining fresh momentum as more smallholder farmers shift to improved planting materials that resist pests, handle poor soils, and bring better returns.

A recent report by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture shows that nearly 48 percent of households in Kagera now grow Superior Banana Varieties, known as SBVs.

These include FHIA hybrids and exotic landraces first introduced close to two decades ago through joint efforts by public agencies, non profit groups, and farmers themselves.

FHIA 17 leads adoption at 25 percent, followed by FHIA 23 at 7 percent and FHIA 25 at 4 percent. Farmers say they value these varieties because they tolerate common diseases, need little fertilizer, and produce heavier bunches that sell well in local markets.

Tanzania stands as the second largest banana producer in Eastern Africa, and Kagera alone supplies more than half of national output, an IITA scientist said. When farmers improve bananas here, the effect reaches household food supply, local trade, and rural incomes.

Income gains and household impact

The report links SBV use to a productivity rise of about 15 percent across the region. This gain adds close to US$7 million each year to the Kagera economy through higher sales, related trade, and tax revenue.

Farmers report clear changes at home. Many households now keep enough bananas for meals and still sell surplus at nearby markets. Women often guide these sales and manage income from the crop.

A stronger harvest means I pay school fees on time and still buy inputs for the next season, said a farmer from Kagera. Bananas now support the family in ways they did not before.

Researchers also note better diet variety as families consume more of what they grow, alongside added cash for other foods.

Research, extension, and a wider regional view

The IITA study credits steady farmer involvement for the spread of SBVs. Extension teams worked with growers to test varieties on farms, multiply clean planting material, and share results within communities. This approach helped build trust and speed adoption.

In 2021, the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute released improved matooke hybrids that add to the SBV mix. Experts say continued research and wider distribution will help meet changing farmer needs and lift gains further.

Beyond Tanzania, the findings carry weight for the region. Kenya has announced plans to revive banana farming in Vihiga County, with a focus on better varieties and support services. Observers say lessons from Kagera, especially farmer led testing and steady extension, could guide similar efforts.

If we support research and keep farmers at the center, bananas can keep driving food supply and income growth across East Africa, an IITA expert said.

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