In Uganda, the World’s second-largest producer and consumer of bananas, banana farmers are counting their gains and increased incomes from their banana waste cycling and producing over 30,000 square feet of rugs each year as community-based start-ups, such as TEXFAD are working with smallholder banana farmers who supply banana stems to the company.
With a global production value of about 10 million metric tons and Banana consumption of almost one kilogram per person, per day, more than 75% of Uganda’s population rely on banana as a staple food, Banana waste is fast becoming a vital source of economic opportunity in Uganda, which is developing new industries and technologies to transform banana stems into fibre for sustainable textile and handicrafts products.
“In addition to banana fibre carpets, local artisans are testing ways of turning banana fibre into biodegradable hair extensions and cotton-like textiles ideal for apparel and the fashion industry,” explains TEXFAD founder Muturi Kumani.
“Banana fibre is also being developed into vegan leather — offering sustainable leather for shoes, belts, wallets and bags, etc. While by-products of banana fibre production are carbonized and turned into charcoal briquettes, which are smoke-free and offer four to six hours of clean energy.”
