Eating the banana (tree)

Virtually every part of the banana tree finds use in kitchens across south, east and northeastern India. Here are a few recipes from Bengal

EC quota drives Germans bananas

A plan to restrict import of bananas from Latin American countries is being opposed tooth and nail by the Germans.

Caribbeans fight to protect market share

A GATT ruling that the proposed EC import regime for bananas is unfair to Latin America, has the poorer Caribbean producers up in arms.

Fruits of science

An Indian research institute is in the process of developing a banana variety with a longer shelf-life

Latin Americans seek truce against EC curbs

Latin American and Caribbean banana growers are seeking to reconcile the rivalry between them, which is threatening to escalate because of new …

Fast-spreading banana fungus poses major threat to African food security

High risk as same banana strain grown in most plantations; Staple food for millions can be affected

Miracle medicine

Bananas that are actually vaccines. Potatoes that kill bacteria. Tobacco plants that fight tooth decay. Medical science has more tricks up its sleeve

Banana wise: This fashion designer in Shravasti uses banana crop waste to make women financially independent

Tejashwi Pathak’s Baudhanchal self-help group helps women in the east Uttar Pradesh district to make handicrafts from banana waste and …

On slippery peel: Can India’s banana cultivation face Panama wilt

Panama wilt infection has ruined banana plantations across the world for 50 years now. While scientists are trying to find solutions in natural …

Banana flour: Karnataka women’s novel idea to avoid wastage

It is a healthier alternative to replace refined flours and can provide nutrition as well as livelihoods

UN warns against one of the world’s ‘most destructive banana diseases’

After Asia, Latin America, a region where about 70 per cent of the world’s banana exports are grown, could be next to be affected

The hopper bands in Wayanad are not locusts

A member of IUCN’s grasshopper specialist group explains the truth about the infestation in Pulpally, Wayanad

Winged wonders: We should not resent bats, because we need them

The pandemic has magnified fear of bats, but their conservation is crucial to prevent such events from arising again

Drink banana

Method to extract fruit juice

Fungi disarmed

Banana music

Just use it

The fibre of the banana tree is a sustainable resource to manufacture paper

GHANA

Bytes

Banana bonus

Good quality fibre from trees

Peel power

A waste byproduct earlier, banana peels are now hailed as a new source of biogas

Caribbean in trouble

Bananas over bananas

Benign banana

Shooting the messenger