Environmental and social issues of Banana production

Sky East
2 min readJan 4, 2023

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The current practices of banana farming contribute to the environmental problems and destruction of tropical rainforest which is one of the most diverse ecosystems on this planet. The excessive use of improper agricultural chemicals, poor disposal of plastic and degradable waste, deforestation, and erosion are some environmental risks of banana production.

The pollution caused by the intensive use of agrochemicals in monoculture production remains a challenge for the producers as changes in input use affect productivity. Monoculture attracts a wide range of pests and diseases, fungal diseases which are difficult to come back to in a tropical climate. Fresh Banana Suppliers import most of their banana requirements, and it also makes bananas critical to global food security. But also somewhere down it is impacting the environment and social issues at a higher rate. Here, we will discuss some environmental and social issues of banana farming.

1: Soil degradation

Due to the frequent use of pesticides in tropical agro-industrial regions that carried from an accumulation of pesticides, metabolism, and accompanying heavy metals in soil. Leaching an aerial transport of pesticides applied to leaves increases the risk of dispersion of these products in the environment and affects the ecosystem and human health. It is weakening the absorption power in soil.

2: Health and safety

The health of the workers has been affected by regular exposure to toxic agrochemicals and a lack of appropriate safety equipment. Given the tropical conditions, work is very physically demanding. Repeated actions, cause streams and injuries. Therefore it is important to educate workers about health and safety at work and ensure that National legislation, as well as private standards, are observed.

3: Polluting water channels

Fertilizers and pesticides can have a disgusting impact on the environment as it is polluting water channels and leading to eutrophication, which results in the destruction of aquatic lives including coral reefs. Carelessly storing chemicals can also seep enter the soil and water courses, leading to soil contamination and water pollution at a higher level. Wholesale Banana suppliers have a demand for bananas.

4: Corporate power

Only a handful of multinational food companies dominate the international banana trade. But it is supermarkets that are not the most powerful actors in the banana supply chain. As you know, supermarkets are making substantial profits by paying unsustainably low prices to the food companies that market bananas and own plantations. Columbia Banana Suppliers are also getting even less value from their bananas.

It is important to raise awareness about the negative impacts of Banana plantations. An increasing number of exporters are choosing to harvest more environmentally friendly fruit by limiting chemical usage on their plants.

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