This study conducted in Maluku Province, Indonesia aimed to provide an overview of the banana genotypic diversity available in the marketplaces, their cultivations, and the trading facilities. The study used a survey method to visit different markets, farmers, and government institutions for data collection. The survey revealed that there were 17 genotypes of three different species and multiple genome and ploidy levels available at the marketplaces, with Pisang Raja Hitam and Pisang 40 Hari being the most demanded ones. The study also found that the major suppliers of banana commodities in Ambon market were Ceram, Ambon, Buru, Obi, and Bacan islands. However, the low banana production in Maluku Province was due to the lack of knowledge in implementing proper cultural practices, capital, and government aid. Additionally, the lack of sufficient infrastructure for large-scale cultivations, storage, and transport and the use of harmful chemicals in post-harvest handling were some of the factors potentially hindering the international trading of banana products. Nonetheless, the government has development plans that could improve the banana export situation in the future.
Author(s) Details:
Leunufna Semuel,
Center for the Conservation of Maluku’s Biodiversity (CCMB), Faculty of Agriculture, Pattimura University Ambon, Maluku, Indonesia.
Woltering Ernst,
Food and Biobased Research, Wageningen University and Research, Netherlands.
Hogeveen-Van Echteld Esther,
Food and Biobased Research, Wageningen University and Research, Netherlands.
Van der Waal Hans-Willem,
AgroFair Company, Barendrecht, Netherlands.