No, we have no bananas

Cavendish Bananas  (Photo by Augustus Binu)

Although we have bananas today, we might not have some tomorrow.

That’s because Panama disease has been spreading throughout Africa, Asia, Australia and the Middle East.

This infection is capable of ravaging banana plants, all the way to extinction.

The economies of so-called “banana republics” would be particularly threatened by this worst-case scenario.  The “400 million people” who reply upon bananas “for a substantial portion of their calorie intake” would be in deep trouble.

A heavy toll would be taken on rain forests, as more would be cut down in order to farm untainted land.  Scientists have been seeking to enhance the genetic diversity of banana plants in order to combat widespread epidemics. 

Resources

https://www.msn.com/en-in/finance/markets/bananas-at-risk-of-extinction-as-panama-disease-returns/ar-BBW8wA1

Copyright April 22, 2019 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved