Moureen Nansamba urges development of drought-resistant banana varieties

Moureen Nansamba, a PhD Research Fellow at the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, has called for the urgent development of drought-resistant banana varieties to safeguard food security across East Africa. Speaking at the IPPS9 symposium, Nansamba highlighted the increasing threat climate change poses to banana production, which is a staple crop for millions of people in the region. She emphasized that developing resilient varieties is essential for maintaining agricultural productivity as weather patterns become more unpredictable.

The research presented by Nansamba utilizes advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI)-based screening and transpiration modeling, to identify how different banana genotypes respond to water stress. This innovative approach allows researchers to categorize banana varieties based on their water usage strategies. Some genotypes are classified as 'risk-takers' while others are 'conservative' in their transpiration rates, providing a clear map of genetic diversity that can be exploited for targeted plant breeding.

Understanding these physiological responses is critical for East Africa, one of the world's primary banana-producing hubs. By identifying which varieties can thrive under limited water conditions, scientists can provide smallholder farmers with crops better suited to their local environments. This knowledge also helps farmers optimize their irrigation practices, ensuring that scarce water resources are used efficiently to maintain yields during dry spells.

Ultimately, the goal of Nansamba’s work is to provide a sustainable path forward for the region's agricultural sector. By integrating AI and plant physiology, the research aims to bridge the gap between laboratory findings and practical field applications. Ensuring that banana production remains viable in the face of global warming is not only an economic necessity but a fundamental requirement for the nutritional stability of the East African population.