Abstract:

A research agenda involving a rapid rural appraisal, constraint assessment surveys and constraint
intervention research, was developed at the inception of the NBRP. This agenda has been the
main focus of NBRP activities and has resulted in studies to characterise banana constraints and
develop interventions. Some of the technologies/knowledge developed (in collaboration with IITA,
NRI, CABI & INIBAP) include: Highland banana hybrids with resistance to pests and diseases,
exot c bananas from foreign banana breeding programmes; entomopathogenic biopesticides,
enhanced cultural control practices for management of pests and diseases; improved crop and soil
management practices; and new methods of utilising bananas. A menu of these technologies was
selected during a PRA by farmers in Kisekka benchmark site for validation under their conditions.
Subsequently, a farmer participatory approach, involving a multidisciplinary team of researchers in
banEnas, research collaborators, service providers and farmers, was adopted in the validation of
the technologies