Wrapping bananas ensures quality produce

By SERAH LAGDOM
Banana wrapping is a tradition in most parts of Papua New Guinea as it was practised in the past and it is still practised today.
“The art of wrapping a banana bundle requires careful observation in order to master that skill.”
Alian James, from Rigo in Central said the art of banana wrapping was usually a skill passed down from father to son in Central.
The idea to wrapping bananas was to improve the quality of the fruit while they are ripening on the plant. It is a highly recommended practice by many Central people.
She said a large portion of land was reserved only for farming the specific type of banana called the Moresby Kalapuwa.
The Moresby Kalapuwa is high in demand around the local markets thus it was very important to do proper wrapping of the banana when it is still young.
“I grow different kinds of banana and I make good money from them.
“The Moresby Kalapuwa bananais still the best and I plan on expanding my farm to cultivate more of it,” she said.
She said the transportation cost from Goata Village to Port Moresby was quite expensive and she was charged K5 per banana.
When at the markets, James sells her bananas within the range of K30–K50 depending on the size.
A recent research findings suggest that skin injuries to Cavendish banana could be greatly reduced by as much as 90 per cent by wrapping the fruit bunch.
Wrapping produces banana high in quality and free from insect bites, fungi and bacteria, as well as physical injuries such as abrasions, blemishes and cuts.
The development of Banwrap or banana wrapping was based on the concept of a simple design, easy to make, light-weight, easy to transport, simple to use, and suitable for a range of purposes.