Peasant_cultivation_for_export_in_the_Caribbean Banana

the vast majority of world s bananas today cultivated family consumption or sale on local markets. india world leader in sort of production, many other asian , african countries climate , soil conditions allow cultivation host large populations of banana growers sell @ least of crop.

there peasant sector banana growers produce world market in caribbean, however. windward islands notable growing, largely of cavendish bananas, international market, in europe in north america. in caribbean, , in dominica sort of cultivation widespread, holdings in 1–2 acre range. in many cases farmer earns additional money other crops, engaging in labor outside farm, , share of earnings of relatives living overseas. style of cultivation popular in islands bananas required little labor input , brought welcome income. banana crops vulnerable destruction high winds, such tropical storms or cyclones.

after signing of nafta agreements in 1990s, however, tide turned against peasant producers. costs of production relatively high , ending of favorable tariff , other supports, in european economic community, made difficult peasant producers compete bananas grown on large plantations capitalized firms chiquita , dole. not did large companies have access cheap labor in areas worked, better able afford modern agronomic advances such fertilization. dollar banana produced these concerns made profit margins peasant bananas unsustainable.

caribbean countries have sought redress problem providing government supported agronomic services , helping organize producers cooperatives. have been supporters of fair trade movement seeks balance inequities in world trade in commodities.