Program to Improve Banana and Plantain Production and Marketing in Bolivia (2021–2025)

Bolivia's Program to Improve Banana and Plantain Production and Marketing, scheduled for 2021-2025, aims to strengthen primary production, harvesting, post-harvest management and marketing of bananas and plantains for domestic and export markets. The program is overseen by the Ministry of Rural Development and Lands (MDRyT), with the participation of the National Institute of Agricultural and Forestry Innovation (INIAF), the National Agricultural Health and Food Safety Service (SENASAG) and the National Fund for Integrated Development (FONADIN), according to their respective components. It covers research and technological innovation, technical assistance, training for producers and technicians, improvements in productive infrastructure, adoption of good agricultural and packing practices, access to quality planting material and stronger marketing capacities. Its plant-health component proposes surveillance to prevent the introduction of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 (Foc TR4), integrated pest management, pesticide-residue monitoring and early warning systems for black Sigatoka. Interventions focus on the Cochabamba Tropics and the Yungas of La Paz, with other potential expansion areas. The document identifies approximately 5,219 producer families as its target population and a planned multiyear budget of BOB 137,823,595. Its targets include higher crop yields, improved fruit quality, reduced plant-health losses and stronger marketing. These figures represent planned targets and budget allocations, not necessarily verified implementation results. For PAESA purposes, the program has direct agrifood relevance.