Top 5 High Yielding Banana Varieties in Kenya

Banana farming in Kenya has seen a significant transformation in recent years, driven by the introduction of high-yielding banana varieties. These new varieties are not only boosting productivity but also providing resilience against common diseases and adverse climatic conditions. This article explores the top 5 high yielding banana varieties cultivated in Kenya, examining the factors contributing to their high yields, their physical characteristics and their primary uses. These bananas include FHIA17, Grand Nain, Williams, FHIA25, and Giant Cavendish.

FHIA17: one of the most productive banana varieties in Kenya

1.    FHIA 17

This is a hybrid variety developed by the Honduras Foundation for Agricultural Research and Kenyan Agricultural Research Institute. FHIA 17 is part of the FHIA series that focuses on producing bananas with improved resistance to diseases and better yield potential. FHIA 17 is an early maturing variety that bears medium-sized fruits that are up to 20cm long. They turn yellow when ripe. FHIA 17 is a multi-purpose banana that is suitable for both cooking and ripening.

There are a number of factors that make FHIA 17 a high yielding banana, one of them being its resistance to diseases. This banana variety is resistant to major banana diseases such as black Sigatoka, fusarium wilt, banana weevil and panama disease. This ensures they have a higher yielding potential, up to 30 tonnes per acre annually.

2.    Grand Nain

This is another high yielding banana variety cultivated in Kenya. It is valued for its uniform fruit size and appealing taste. Grand Nain bananas are resistant to several common banana diseases and can yield up to 40 tonnes under optimal conditions. This variety thrives in well-drained soils with regular fertilization and irrigation.

3.     Williams

This is a variety of the Cavendish subgroup. It’s a popular variety that is known for its robust nature and large fruits that are sweet and ideal for export. It yields around 50-60 tonnes per hectare. It is highly resistance to fusarium wilt and other diseases, making it suitable for large-scale commercial farming.

4.     Giant Cavendish

This variety is characterized by large, curved bananas that have a thick peel and a creamy, sweet and firm flesh. This variety is herbaceous, growing up to 6-metres in height. Giant Cavendish is considered a commercial favourite because it produces large bunches of bananas and has a relatively short time to maturity making it highly productive. Its large bananas weigh from about 40 to 60 kilograms per bunch under optimal conditions. Giant Cavendish is highly productive and its high productivity is attributed to its genetic traits, its rapid growth and short harvest cycle, its bunch size and weight.

5.     FHIA 25

This a hybrid banana variety that was also developed by the Honduras Foundation for Agricultural Research. It was developed to address some of the limitations of traditional banana varieties, particularly in terms of disease resistance and productivity. This variety is resistant to black Sigatoka and panama disease which are a common threat to traditional banana varieties. The banana is robust and performs well in a variety of environments, increasing its productivity potential.