Pohnpei Banana Market Study Presents Baseline Data

by Dr. Lois Englberger

An impressive total of 48,251 pounds of banana was purchased by 14 local markets from farmers during an 8-week period June to August 2006, as documented in the Pohnpei Banana Market Study. This project was coordinated by the Island Food Community of Pohnpei (IFCP) and the Pohnpei Office of Economic Affairs, with initial assistance by the College of Micronesia-FSM Land Grant Program.

Most of the bananas marketed were Utin Menihle and Utin Ruk. Only 12% (5888 pounds) of the total consisted of the beta-carotene rich yellow-fleshed varieties. Still, the study showed that a diversity of banana varieties was marketed, including 17 in all.

The purpose of the study was to provide baseline data on both the volumes and varieties of banana marketed. This will be useful for the campaign in promoting local food and the rare yellow-fleshed banana varieties, which are particularly rich in nutrient content.

Angela Parvanta, University of Hawaii student doing an internship with IFCP, led the data collection and analysis, along with Lymer Yamada, assisting as part of the WIA student program. Angela said, "The market people were friendly and helpful. I went every day to the markets, Monday through Friday, and the market staff provided the information as recorded in their receipt books."

Adelino Lorens, Chief of Agriculture, pointed out, "As most local markets are open 6 days per week, this 8-week study shows that about 1000 pounds of bananas are being supplied daily to the local markets, and this does not include all markets. Also this is during the slower summer months. The study is also important as it provides the first recent data on Pohnpei food crops marketed locally."

The market study documented the volume of banana purchased by variety and market, and also showed how many markets were marketing each specific variety.

Karat, the State Banana of Pohnpei, was marketed by eight markets (over half), which is quite an achievement as no market was selling Karat in 1998 when the campaign started.

Data were also collected on the volume of marketed giant swamp taro (Cyrtosperma), which is another highly nutritious local food. In total for a five-week period, 1037 pounds of this food crop were marketed by five markets.

As a token of appreciation, Let's Go Local t-shirts were provided to market staff members participating in the study, as well as color photographs, showing their respective markets. Thanks are again extended to the 14 participating markets, University of Hawaii, WIA Program, Sight and Life and the New Zealand Embassy supporting this study.