Performance, Innovation and Strategic Analysis for Impact (PISA4Impact), Applied Economics and Impact Evaluation, International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Palmira, Colombia.
Socioeconomics Section, CSIR-Savanna Agricultural Research Institute, Nyankpala, Ghana.
PLoS One. 2024 Oct 30;19(10):e0311243. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0311243. eCollection 2024.
The global banana industry faces a significant threat from Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Tropical Race 4 (TR4). While prior research has concentrated on TR4's dissemination, reproductive conditions, and resistant banana varieties, this study employs a socioeconomic and cost-benefit analysis to explore the vulnerability of banana producers to TR4 in Colombia. It assesses the financial viability of current monitoring strategies and estimates potential losses in the event of TR4 spreading within the study area. Interviews were conducted with producers and key stakeholders in Colombia's top two banana-producing departments, Antioquia and Magdalena. The findings reveal that farming systems are highly vulnerable to TR4, particularly due to the prevalent use of corms. Producers employ preventive measures such as cement paths, fences, disinfecting stations, and footbaths to counteract TR4's spread. A cost-benefit analysis indicates that the benefits of these prevention methods significantly outweigh the associated costs, with a net present value of implementing prevention strategies per hectare of $95,389 USD and $112,527 USD in Magdalena and Antioquia and a benefit-cost ratio of 3.1 and 4.2, respectively. Considering the substantial impact TR4 could have in Colombia if it becomes more widespread, we recommend widespread adoption of preventive measures, including the construction and utilization of cement paths and disinfectant methods on all banana farms. Additionally, to enhance awareness and early detection, we propose leveraging technology, such as mobile applications (apps) and chat groups, to empower farmers in identifying and preventing the spread of TR4.
全球香蕉产业正面临着由尖孢镰刀菌古巴专化型 4 号热带菌株（TR4）带来的重大威胁。尽管先前的研究集中在 TR4 的传播、繁殖条件和抗香蕉品种上，但本研究采用社会经济和成本效益分析来探讨哥伦比亚香蕉种植者对 TR4 的脆弱性。它评估了当前监测策略的财务可行性，并估计了在研究区域内 TR4 传播的情况下潜在的损失。研究人员对哥伦比亚两个香蕉主产省份——安蒂奥基亚省和 Magdalena 省的种植者和关键利益相关者进行了访谈。研究结果表明，种植系统对 TR4 极为脆弱，尤其是由于普遍使用球茎。种植者采取了诸如水泥小径、围栏、消毒站和洗脚盆等预防措施来阻止 TR4 的传播。成本效益分析表明，这些预防方法的收益大大超过了相关成本，在 Magdalena 和 Antioquia 地区，每公顷实施预防策略的净现值分别为 95389 美元和 112527 美元，效益成本比分别为 3.1 和 4.2。考虑到如果 TR4 在哥伦比亚更广泛传播可能造成的巨大影响，我们建议广泛采用预防措施，包括在所有香蕉农场建造和使用水泥小径和消毒剂。此外，为了增强意识和早期检测，我们提议利用技术，如移动应用程序（app）和聊天群组，使农民能够识别和预防 TR4 的传播。
