Banana stem sprouts two bunches

May 10, 2018

One of the stems on the plant has produced two bunches, which according to Namatovu is strange.

PIC: The bunches which grew on one stem. (Credit: Luke Kagiri)

 

 

TRENDS IN AGRICULTURE

 

MITYANA- People are flocking Makumbi  Namatovu's garden in Ddanya village in Busimbi Division Mityana municipality, to see a banana plant which sprouted two bunches of bananas on one stem.

 

Namatovu said over twenty five years ago, she had a banana plantation, but later when it dried out, one particular plant remained.

 

She says the suckers that she planted were obtained from Action Aid, which was boosting agricultural practices in the then Mubende district.

 

"This particular plant has existed for many years. I spent over ten years without weeding  it, but it still survived in the bush. When I started cultivating from here again I found it,"

Namatovu said.

 

One of the stems on the plant has produced two bunches, which according to Namatovu, is strange. 

 

 

Agriculturalists visit and advice

 

As the news of the two bunches spread, agriculturalists in Mityana also visited the plant and talked to the farmer.

 

Among them were agricultural extension workers and teachers from the Mityana  Agrovet Institute, which teaches agriculture.

 

Hannington Ssegawa, the principal of Agrovet, said although this has been seen as the first time in Uganda, it has ever happened elsewhere in the world.

 

He advised the farmer to protect the plant so that more agricultural scientists can visit  and investigate further.

 

He promised to contact other relevant agriculturalists to follow up the matter.

 

"If this continues, it means farmers will be earning double, so we need to promote it," Ssegawa said.

 

 Tutors from Mityana Agrovet institute inspecting the plant. (Credit: Luke Kagiri)