Transforming Smallholder Banana Farming through Tissue Culture and Value Chain Integration: A Mixed-Methods Impact Evaluation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65023/jherd.v10i2.297Abstract
This study examines the first-level impacts of a Tissue Culture Laboratory (TCL) and a Cavendish banana demonstration farm on smallholder farming communities. It aims to assess the success of the TCL in producing disease-free, high-quality planting materials and to analyze its economic, social, and institutional contributions, including improvements in productivity, livelihoods, market access, community participation, gender and youth engagement, employment generation, and stakeholder collaboration. Employing a beneficiary-centered, embedded mixed-methods design, the study integrates quantitative and qualitative approaches to capture both measurable outcomes and lived experiences. A participatory methodology was employed, involving smallholder farmers, cooperative members, women and youth participants, as well as key stakeholders such as cooperative leaders, project implementers, and local government officials. Key stakeholders such as cooperative leaders, project implementers, and local government officials also provided contextual insights. Quantitative data from structured surveys (n = 40) were analyzed using descriptive and comparative statistics to evaluate changes in key indicators. Qualitative data from focus group discussions and key informant interviews enriched the analysis, while document reviews of cooperative records and project reports supported triangulation to ensure validity and reliability. The findings indicate that tissue-cultured plantlets substantially improved banana yield, quality, and marketability, resulting in increased income and employment opportunities. The intervention also strengthened cooperative engagement and enhanced the participation of women and youth. However, operational challenges, including laboratory contamination, logistical constraints, and membership inactivity, persist. Overall, the study underscores the potential of localized biotechnology interventions in advancing climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable rural development.
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