A banana is an edible fruit produced by different kinds of herbaceous flowering plants. The scientific name for the banana is Musa Acuminata. It belongs to the Musaceae Paradisiaca family and the group of monocots. The most common name is banana, but they can be also called edible banana. The objective of this report is for the audience to understand the history, economic significance, where it originated, and the current distribution of the banana.
Bananas were originally found in Southeast Asia, mainly in India. They were brought to the west later on by Arab conquerors in 327 B.C. The banana moved from Asia to Africa carried by the first explores and missionaries to the Caribbean. Bananas eventually made it to South America with the help of Portuguese mariners. The mariners brought the plant from the West African coast. In today’s world, bananas are the most popular fruit. They are also the world’s most important crops grown by small and large-scale producers. Bananas are basically giant herbaceous plants rather than trees. They’re about 50 species in the Musa genus. The genus is split into three to five sections depending on the number of chromosomes in each plant. Furthermore, over a thousand different types cultivators of bananas and plantains are recognized today.
The economic significance of bananas consists of two factors: generations of export earnings and employment for people in several countries. Currently, small populations of bananas are produced in the United States. Within the fifty states, they’re only two states that produce bananas. Hawaii is the largest producer in the United States, followed by Florida. Banana production in Hawaii totaled to 14,500 in 2000 and 14,000 in 2001. The average production cost i...
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...ns while the Philippines produces about a half million tons. Both are mainly exported to Japan. In the tropics of Africa, close to nine million tons of bananas are grown. Larges quantities are usually shipped to Europe. In the American region, banana exports have decreased. From 1979-1980, there was an average of eighty percent but number decreased to seventy percent in the 2000s. During the same time South America was the only country progressing by increasing from twenty-eight percent to forty percent. Banana imports are moderately concentrated. The main import areas are Europe, United States, and Japan. Together, all three countries are accounted for at least seventy percent of the world’s import. Banana imports have drastically had an incredible rate of growth in the past few decades.
Works Cited
http://www.ipmcenters.org/cropprofiles/docs/hibananas.html
When the outbreak of the Panama disease began the United Fruit ordered their field workers to put disinfectant on their tools and clothing in order to decrease the spread of disease. They burned the diseased plants, which took care of the infected bananas, but companies still had problems with workers transferring diseases. Spreading the disease was not intentional but it happened. This lead the United Fruit to begin research programs to fight the disease in 1923 so that it did not worsen. The US department of agriculture had argued the cultivation a disease resistan species would have a higher success rate, for example, the “Chinese banana.” This fruit has a short shelf life though and was not very marketable to be purchased. So the US and British research program both began breeding programs to develop disease resistant varieties, but sadly this was not successful either. It was difficult to find a product that would work, biology did not work, farms kept moving to healthier land, and this created schisms among companies and the government. The diseases were driving the production costs and soil exploitation up, fruit companies were already under public scrutiny for their land grabs and extensive holdings. They all needed a solution; the solution was when the Cavendish bananas began to be boxed in production, which then opened jobs for women. All of the bananas traveling to the
Rendón, Dr. Oscar Hugo Pedraza. “Quality of the Avocado Exporting Companies to the United States of America,” World Avocado Congress. Abstracts A-48 V. 2003.
The Brazilian acai berry has been a food staple for low income families for years and a cultural symbol for generations. This berry is vital in Brazil, where it is farmed and, until recently had a relatively small market. However, after an Oprah interview the demand for acai has become an international affair. The rising demand has created a free market; however the once inexpensive food staple has become too expensive for the low income families. This report will analyse the current markets advantages and disadvantages, followed by two possible government intervention models. The examined interventions will be export tariff and price ceiling.
McIlroy, R.J. 1963. An introduction to tropical cash crops. Ibadan University Press, Nigeria. 163 pp.
The Amazon and Amelonado cocoa hybrid crop produces more cocoa seeds, has a lower gestation period, and has more than two harvest seasons (Boaher, Kwasi, Snijiders & Tolmer, 1999, p. 169). While this new practice produces a higher yield it is more expensive and requires farmers to use chemicals and new farming practices(Boaher, Kwasi, Snijiders & Tolmer, 1999, p. 169). Farmers social status is important “… in the adoption decision. Status is defined with respect to variables such as royalty, leadership and membership …high status farmers are expected to adopt hybrid cocoa because of the increased recognition the society will confer on them by maintaining their leadership role” (Boaher, Kwasi, Snijiders & Tolmer, 1999 p. 173). The main problem with adopting this new hybrid crop is the cost, because most cocoa farms are typically family run and small scale they are not able to afford it (Boaher, Kwasi, Snijiders & Tolmer, 1999, p. 169). While small farms can not afford this, big plantations are able to adopt this farming method and increase annual yield which increases the plantations wealth. This allows big plantations and companies to control the market and leaves little room for small scale farms to increase net profit, trapping them into a vicious cycle of
trees, bamboo trees, fig trees, durian trees, jambu trees, avocado trees, and banana trees. Trees in
Selling corn in massive quantity can lead to a greater profit. An ear of corn may averages about eight-hundred kernels in sixteen rows and a pound of corn consists of approximately 1,300 kernels. One-hundred bushels of corn makes approximately 7,280,000 kernels. Every year, a single U.S. Farmer may provides food and fiber for 129 people in the U.S. and 32 overseas. In the U.S., corn production is 2 times that of any other crop. Over 55% of Iowa’s corn goes to foreign markets and the rest is used in other parts of the United States of America.
It seems as though banana pudding most likely came from the English trifle. The trifle also had a similar combination of pudding, fruit, and cookies spread into layers. Bananas were a rare site prior to the Civil War. Then, cargo ships from the Caribbean began shipping them to the country through ports in New Orleans and Charleston. The fruit was quickly integrated into traditional custards and meringues, paving the way for the banana pudding we know and love today.
(Minifie B.w, 1989) The cocoa tree (Theobroma cacao) is a surprising tree, which is growed in certain constrained ranges and atmosphere conditions; it is a local of thick tropical timberlands of the Amazon where it develops in semi shade, and high modesty and it is accepted to have spread regularly westwards, and northwards to Guyana and Mexico then later headed to the Caribbean islands. (Morganelli A, 2006) the cocoa tree first develop in rainforests of south and focal America, Its first cultivator s from harvests to trees where the aged Mesoamerican and most cocoa trees are developed in spots close to the equator where the climate is constantly hot and wet. (Backett S.t, 2008) To be called ''...
The total area of Uganda being used for agricultural production is increased to 42% in recent time from 24% in 1961. The production of cocoa has increased 57 times compare to the production in 1961. In terms of total planted land, plantains, cassava, sweet potatoes, and maize are the major harvested crops. Since colonial time, cotton production in Uganda decreased significantly and in the meantime, production of coffee, soy beans, and sesame seed has been increased in terms of total harvested areas and production volume. Coffee is the main export item, and it contributes to 50% of foreign earnings. Agricultural input like seed and fertilizer are costly due to high transportation costs, administrative
This is a prime example of perception and cultural assumption. Varying cultures may view the banana as a different color, such as, green,
The baboon is the most widespread primate in Africa. Well-known for their remarkable ability to adapt, baboons can be found in a variety of habitats, ranging from semi-desert to rainforest, and from coastal areas to mountains. Their adaptability also extends to their feeding habits — baboons will eat just about anything. The baboon's diet includes a wide variety of plants, of which they eat every part: leaves, fruit, buds, flowers, roots, bulbs, tubers, seeds, shoots, bark and even sap. As for meat, these resourceful monkeys will eat insects, shellfish, small reptiles and amphibians, rodents, birds, fish, eggs and even young antelope or livestock.
Carbohydrates and dietary fiber which is present in bananas are known to control the bowel movements which ultimately help in proper digestion. Banana is known to be good for those who are trying to get away from chronic constipation which is due to the pectin contents. Banana also is known to aid those who lessen stomach ulcers and lessening the possibility of developing gastric cancer. This fruit also is best possible and natural treatment for those suffering from acidity due to the antacid effect it has.
Fossil records are unable to provide information of on the center of origins of the cacao tree. The cacao tree is in the Sterculiaceae family. The first growers of the cacao pods were probably the people who entered the lowland rain forests of the Amazon Basin between 10,000 and 200 B.P. The full name of the cacao tree is Theobroma cacao. Most of the information of the cacao have been derived from the cultivated crop. The life and reproduction life cycle of Theobroma cacao is identical to a tropical rain forest tree species. Cacao grows optimally in minimal moisture and shade. Cacao is dispersed in small, medium and large areas. This is probably the result of animal dropping the seeds after eating the tasty inside of the pods. Cacao pods are very diverse in morphology. These morphological difference suggests genetic differentiation.
Agriculture is quite possibly the most important advancement and discovery that humanity has made. It produces the one thing that we need the most: food. It has been around since 9500 BC, and can be the oldest sign of mankind’s acumen and the development and evolving of our minds and creations. Agriculture has been mastered throughout hundreds of years and is one of our most important resources on Earth, along with water and fossil fuels. Although the older farming methods from ancient times seem somewhat mediocre and barbaric, they were very ingenious and advanced for that time period. Over thousands of years, we have improved the way agriculture is used, how land is cultivated, the various techniques of farming and irrigation, and the tools and mechanics used. Numerous things that we see as aboriginal today, such as using a hand plow, were extremely contemporary in ancient times, and played key roles in the development of man and society, since quick labor was not abundant before this time. We are now extremely advanced in agriculture and irrigation and the tools used to farm and grow and harvest crops. We have learned from our past and ancestors how to grow and evolve in our methods and have advanced forward greatly.