Understanding the banana industry: monoculture and beyond

Description

The dominance of monoculture in banana cultivation has produced numerous agricultural, social and political problems. This chapter examines the way in which monoculture has affected the banana industry. It outlines the available banana varieties and the dominant Cavendish monoculture, looking at the historical development and dynamics of a banana monoculture. The chapter moves on to examine post-war developments in the banana industry and the advent of the dominance of the Cavendish variety, before considering the crisis in Cavendish cultivation and a proposed new paradigm. The chapter examines the hunt for new banana varieties and looks ahead to future developments in the area.

Table of contents

1 Introduction 2 Banana varieties and the Cavendish monoculture 3 The development of a banana monoculture 4 The dynamics of the banana monoculture 5 Post-war developments: business as usual? 6 The Cavendish era 7 Cavendish in crisis and a new paradigm 8 The hunt for new varieties 9 Future trends and conclusion 10 Where to look for further information