Banana Tissue Culture Sparks Economic Transformation for Vihiga Farmers
In Vihiga County, banana tissue culture is revolutionizing agriculture, empowering local farmers to boost productivity and diversify income streams. Once plagued by the devastating Banana Xanthomonas Wilt (BXW), farmers are now benefiting from tissue culture technology, which provides disease-free, high-yield banana plants. This innovation, supported by the National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NARIGP) and the Agricultural Sector Development Support Programme (ASDSP), has allowed farmers to not only revive their banana farms but also scale them to meet both local and international demand.
With the introduction of aggregation centers and processing facilities, such as banana crisps machines, farmers have shifted from subsistence farming to agribusiness. They are now able to produce value-added products like banana cakes, herbal wine, and crisps, significantly improving their profit margins. This move toward commercial farming has enabled thousands of farmers in Vihiga to increase their earnings, providing a sustainable solution to food insecurity while creating employment opportunities.
The county government’s focus on banana farming as a key economic driver, combined with modern farming techniques, is positioning Vihiga as a hub for agricultural innovation and export potential.
