An Economic Assessment of Banana Genetic Improvement and ...

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH POLICY 161
(such as mulching, timely weeding, and
crop sanitation).
Simulations of the gross economic benefits
that could be generated by a set of
technology options indicate that more widespread
adoption of current best practice is
likely to generate the greatest investment
payoffs. Yet the authors argue that the longer
term strategy endorsed by NARO, which
combines conventional and transgenic approaches
to mitigate the biotic pressures that
cause major economic losses, is essential for
sustaining banana production systems. A
good research policy should provide for
both short- and long-term goals, as is currently
the case at NARO. With regard to the
potential for genetic transformation of banana,
we cannot interpret the findings in
terms of projected dollar benefits alone.
Discussions with researchers clearly indicated
that given the sterility of the endemic
cooking banana, future crop improvement
will be limited unless transgenic tools are
applied. Although the initial costs of establishing
a biotechnology capacity are very
high in terms of infrastructure and human
capital development, as the capacity to plan
and undertake biotechnology-based research
is strengthened, there will be multiplier and
spillover effects in other research areas.
Policy Implications
The results of this study have implications
for the R&D policies that currently influence
the banana industry in East Africa.
These can be grouped into five categories:
1. Developing improved banana genotypes.
Findings confirm the vulnerability
of the endemic banana genotypes
to pests and/or diseases and the
need for a research policy to commit
long-term investments in development
of resistant banana genotypes. The
choice of host cultivar, and use group,
will have social consequences in terms
of the farmers most likely to use and
benefit from the technology. In general,
however, greater social costs are
2.
3.
likely to be caused by delays in banana
improvement in terms of benefits foregone.
Time lags in research and adoption
have often been shown to be the
single most important parameter determining
the social payoff to investment.
Enhancing demand and supply of
improved germplasm. A policy supporting
investments in agricultural education,
extension, marketing infrastructure,
and access to good roads
will enhance demand and supply of
improved banana varieties and in turn
raise banana productivity and efficiency.
We predict a demand for pestand
disease-resistant material, given
the evidence that farmers value these
traits, but demand will be much
greater if supporting investments in
education, extension, and market infrastructure
are also made. Successful
gene insertion in a cultivar that is already
familiar to farmers will make
the genetically modified cultivar more
attractive to such farmers and to those
who resemble them in terms of social,
economic, and farm characteristics,
but other investments will alter the
likelihood of use and benefits distribution.
There is an increase in farmer demand
for planting material when market
prices improve, even though they
remain largely subsistence oriented,
indicating the potential for increased
commercial production in areas of
comparative advantage.
Optimizing dissemination mechanisms.
Findings support the current
policy of the Government of Uganda
(through the National Agricultural Advisory
Services), which emphasizes
farmer associations and human capital
development as pillars of technology
and knowledge dissemination. Human,
but also social, capital and other active
dissemination mechanisms are important
for perceptions, and perceptions
are important for the recommended
practices that are labor intensive and