Economics of Banana Production and Marketing in the Tropics

written by Esendugue G. Fonsah and Angus S.N.D Chidebelu

A Case Study of Cameroon

In most African countries, banana production has been consigned to subsistence production. However, a few countries, especially in Francophone West Africa, have recognised the commercial importance of banana, and have used their special relationship with France to export bananas. This has led to the dualization of the banana sector, with the traditional system existing side by side with a modern sector geared towards export trade.

This book is one of the few comprehensive studies that have incorporated both the agronomic and economic aspects of banana production and marketing in Africa. It looks at all facets of banana production, from an historical perspective to the various traditional and modern technologies involved. The marketing aspect covers both the domestic and international trade, with emphasis on the preferential (ACP / DOM Lome Convention) and the open markets of the European Union. The book is a major contribution to understanding the internationalisation of the banana trade and to its ever-increasing investment portfolio, as the backbone of many a developing tropical economy. Although the emphasis is placed on Cameroon, other relevant African, tropical and subtropical banana-producing countries are mentioned where necessary, especially in the export sector where a degree of competition existed. Further, agricultural practices, soils, meteorological and climatological characteristics, pests and diseases, personnel and banana varieties grown, mean that findings in Cameroon are of relevance to other banana-producing countries, especially in Africa. Meanwhile, other African and tropical countries still contemplating entry into banana exports would benefit from the Cameroon experience.

The book is of especial relevance to agronomists, entomologists, economists, farm managers, government policy makers, large, medium and small scale banana growers, and students and teachers in universities and schools of agriculture.

Esendugue G. Fonsah

Esendugue G. Fonsah is a Traditional Ruler (Chief) and Professor, Department of Ag & Applied Economics, University of Georgia, Tifton Campus, USA.

Angus S.N.D Chidebelu

Professor Angus S.N.D Chidebelu was educated at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria; the University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada; and the University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, U.S.A. At the University of Nigeria, he was: Head of the Department of Agricultural Economics; Associate Dean, Faculty of Agriculture; and Associate Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies. He has consulted for National and International Organizations and has over 50 publications.