Protecting white yam crops using treated banana-fibre paper

THE QUESTION

Can banana fibre paper help fight parasitic nematodes and protect white yam crops?

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LOCATION: Ghana
SECTOR: Agriculture and Food Security
TECH: Nature-Based Solutions
TIMELINE: September 2024 - Present
PIONEER: Ezekiel Hayford, Tristan Eagling
PARTNERS: TBC

The Challenge

Yams are a vital crop in West Africa, providing food for millions and income for farmers. But yam farming faces a big threat: parasitic nematodes. These microscopic pests live in the soil, damaging crops, reducing yields, and lowering the quality of harvested yams. In Ghana, nematodes can cause farmers to lose up to 50% of their yams during storage, cutting into their earnings and food supplies.

Farmers have few good options to tackle nematodes. Many rely on chemical pesticides, which can harm their health, pollute the environment, and damage local ecosystems. Others resort to clearing forests to create new, pest-free fields—a practice that is unsustainable and destructive.

There’s an urgent need for a safer, more sustainable solution to protect yams and support farmers’ livelihoods.

The Idea

Banana-fibre paper is made from parts of the banana plant that are typically thrown away, like plant bark or fruit peels. However, treating the paper with abamectin, a nematode-fighting agent (and natural pesticide), can become an innovative tool for protecting crops. Farmers will use a simple "wrap and plant" method, enclosing yam seeds in the treated paper before planting. This shields the yams from nematodes as they grow.

The idea not only tackles the nematode problem but also turns agricultural waste into a valuable resource. By reusing banana fibres, this approach supports a circular economy, where waste is transformed into something useful.

If successful, this pilot could:

• Reduce yam crop losses, boosting farmers' incomes.

• Cut reliance on harmful chemical pesticides.

• Promote sustainable farming practices.

• Advance circular economy processes

By turning waste into opportunity, this project has the potential to protect both crops and the environment—empowering farmers in Ghana and beyond.

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Our learnings and stories so far

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