Abstract:
In the East African Great Lakes region, bananas provide the staple food for over 20
million people in both rural and urban areas. Annual per capita consumption of bananas reaches 660 kg in some parts of the region, which is the highest in the world
(FAO, 1998). Yet, bananas are mainly produced in low-input systems on small farms
and provide one of the main sources of income, as excess production is sold in urban centres through local traders.