Proper handling of ripened bananas, such as apple bananas and bogoya, is essential for farmers looking to reduce losses and boost profits.
Whether for small-scale traders or large-scale processors, using the right ripening techniques ensures better quality, longer shelf life, and higher market value, making a significant impact on both income and sustainability.
For Ritta Redempter, a resident of Kabujogera village in Kitagwenda district, ripening bananas is not just about preparing them for sale it’s a vital part of her value-addition business.
She uses ripe bananas to make wine, a process that requires careful handling to ensure quality and consistency.
“Proper ripening is key to producing a high-quality product. If bananas overripe or rot, they become useless for my wine-making process. That’s why I pay close attention to storage conditions and ripening techniques,” Redempter explains.
To control ripening, she places bananas in well-ventilated rooms and uses natural methods such as covering them with dry banana leaves to maintain warmth and speed up the process.
For commercial-scale ripening, ethylene gas is sometimes used to achieve uniform results.
Challenges in ripening bananas
Ripening bananas presents multiple difficulties for farmers and traders, affecting both quality and profitability.
Gideon Zakke, an agronomist, says one of the main issues is premature ripening, often caused by high temperatures during transportation. This results in significant losses, especially for those who depend on selling fresh produce.
“Inconsistent ripening is another problem, largely due to inadequate storage conditions. Without proper ventilation, some bananas overripe quickly while others remain green, making it challenging to sell them in bulk”, he says.
According to Zakke farmers must adopt controlled ripening techniques to ensure even quality. Additionally, market fluctuations add to the complexity.
When bananas ripen all at once and there is an oversupply, prices drop, forcing farmers and traders to sell at a loss. Without a ready market, some of the produce goes to waste, he says.
“These challenges highlight the importance of proper handling, storage, and timing in the banana trade to minimize losses and maximise profits.”
Advantages of proper banana ripening
Despite the challenges, when done correctly, banana ripening has several advantages, especially for commercial farmers and processors. Properly ripened bananas have a higher market value and attract more buyers.
For entrepreneurs like Redempter, ripened bananas provide raw material for products such as wine, juice, and flour, which fetch better prices than fresh bananas.
“Value addition is the best way to prevent losses and increase income. Instead of selling bananas cheaply in the market, I turn them into wine, which gives me higher profits,” she says.
Processed banana products have a longer shelf life, reducing the risk of wastage. By investing in ripening techniques and storage solutions, farmers and business owners can ensure a steady supply of quality bananas throughout the year.
