Plantain: 1.5 million tonnes produced in 2015

The research results by the African Centre for Research on Plantain (CARBAP) have revealed that 1.5 million tonnes of plantain were produced in 2015.

According to Joshua Tetang Tchenda, head of information and communication, CARBAP is not choosy in results achieved through his center.

At the production level, for example, he said that horticultural propagation techniques (PIF) were developed. And these techniques are widely disseminated in Cameroon, Africa in general and even the Caribbean.

In addition, modern farming production methods are also developed including anything that allows a substantial increase in the production of Cameroon plantain per hectare.

"We spent such a production of 4 to 7 tons per hectare to 12-15 tons per hectare, expandable up to 30 tonnes per hectare. This has a significant impact on the total production of Cameroon plantain," he said.

This, sources said, is from 1.2 million tonnes in 2010 to 1.5 million tonnes per year. Moreover, the setting-up of horticultural multiplication of new techniques has allowed the emergence of a new profession in Cameroon, the nurseryman.

This produces seedlings for farmers. The plantain sector stimulus program implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development example downright backed this business nurseryman.

Also, thanks to the results of research conducted by the CARBAP, production of plantain consumption has grown from production to that of market because the industry has become increasingly a carrier.

Other achievements of CARBAP is the collection of plantain varieties, it asserts here hold more than 600, including one from the Democratic Republic of Congo, can produce plantain speeds by more than 50 kg.

From these varieties, hybrids are developed. Through the processing of plantain, a technique of production and conservation of good quality is developed, and a method of manufacturing the flour based cake donuts and plantain is developed