PLANTAIN AND BANANA – USES
Plantain and banana have many uses in different parts of the world. This article xrays the various uses of plantain and banana in the world. Sit back and enjoy the creative output.
BOTANY AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE CROPS
Musa species originated in the South Pacific and Southeast Asia around 8,000 to 5,000 BC.
The earliest modern plantations originated in Jamaica and the related Western Caribbean Zone, including most of Central America.
Though they grow as high as trees, banana and plantain plants are not woody and their apparent “stem” is made up of the bases of the huge leaf stalks. Thus, they are technically gigantic herbs.
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CULTIVATION
The cultivation has many advantages. Among the advantages of banana and plantain cultivation is that they do not require the use of heavy and costly farm machinery.
The gestation period is between 14-20 months which comparatively faster than other permanent crops.
Again, cost is incurred only once and as a perennial, several harvests can be made from one planting.
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Furthermore, unlike other annual crops, harvesting costs and on farm processing costs are minimal; income per hectare from banana and plantain is higher than what is obtained in other carbohydrate food staples.
Both require heavy rainfall of about 1,000mmper year. From research evidence, it has been observed that plantain production is higher than banana production.
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USES OF PLANTAIN AND BANANA
Have you wondered the various uses of plantain and banana? Then read this to see the uses;
PLANTAIN
- In spite of the consumption of plantains as a staple food; it is also used in the food industries for the manufacture of chips, flakes, cakes.
- At the household levels, plantains are consumed raw with water, soaked garri, fried as dodo, boiled, roasted and can be dried and grounded into flour for feature use.
- Source of very high nutritional value of dietary carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals and extremely rich in vitamin A
BANANA
- high in potassium which is important as it helps maintain fluid levels in the body and regulates the movement of nutrients and waste products in and out of cells,
- contains good levels of protein and dietary fiber,
- an instant energy booster,
- can lower risk of both cardiovascular disease (CVD) and coronary heart disease (CHD),
- supports digestion,
- helps in building up metabolism,
- powerhouse of Nutrients (potassium, calcium, manganese, magnesium, iron, folate, niacin, riboflavin, and B6),
- low salt content and good for control of blood pressure
- good for those suffering from anaemia due to the high iron content
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