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SHOPPERS are going bananas for bananas in Bahrain and with good reason … recent reports state that due to climate change the appealing fruit will become a critical food source for millions, writes Mai Al Khatib.
Researchers from the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) global partnership, known for uniting organisations engaged in studies for a food secure future, say that bananas might replace potatoes and rice in popularity as consumers adapt to new and varied menus as traditional crops struggle to survive climate change.
They predict that the world’s three biggest crops in terms of calories provided, namely maize, rice and wheat will decrease in many developing countries. And, reports suggest that potatoes, which grow best in cooler climates, could particularly suffer as temperatures increase and weather conditions become more volatile.
The authors argue that these changes ‘could provide an opening for cultivating certain varieties of bananas’ at higher altitudes, even in those places that currently grow potatoes.
Dr Philip Thornton, one of the authors of the report, said: “While bananas and plantains also have limiting factors they may be a good substitutes for potatoes in certain locations.
“It’s not necessarily a silver bullet, but there may be places where, as temperatures increase, bananas might be one option that small-holders could start to look at.”
Bahrain hypermarkets carry a variety of bananas such as green plantains that are a staple dish in Uganda.
This banana is different in taste and texture than the other plantains. It is hard and does not sweeten as it turns ripe. They have to be cooked to turn them into a soft mash which can then be consumed just like mashed potatoes.
As a result, the mashed bananas can be served with a large range of gravies, meats and broths as an accompaniment.
Lulu Hypermarket carries eight different types of bananas. A spokesman said: “We get a huge demand for bananas. Our customers like to purchase it from here because of our wide selection.
“On a daily basis we purchase 300 to 350 cartons from the Philippines and 500 to 750 cartons from India.”
At Lulu most bananas are priced starting from around 475 fils per kilo. Rival store Carrefour also has a variety to choose from. Bhuban Shresdha, fresh products department head for Carrefour, said: “We supply four kinds of bananas from India and the popular Chiquita banana from the Philippines which are known to be the best.
“Bananas were expensive before Eid starting from 500 fils but now they are more cost-effective. Everybody likes to eat bananas.”
Well-known author Alia Almoayed, a nutritional therapist, believes bananas make a good on-the-go travel snack.
“They can give plenty of energy so they are good to take before an athletics event, for example. They also have a high content of fruit sugar which can be great for an energy lift, but you have to be careful about eating bananas too often and on an empty stomach as that could elevate blood sugar - so try your bananas with some raw nuts.”
