Ugandan Enterprise Transforms Banana Fiber into Sustainable Handicrafts

A severed banana plant, once deemed nearly worthless and a nuisance to farmers, has found a new lease on life in Uganda. This East African nation, with the world’s highest banana consumption rate and a prominent position as Africa’s primary banana producer, has witnessed an innovative and sustainable venture emerge from the remnants of decapitated banana stems.

Bananas hold a special place in Ugandan culture, with the starchy boiled mush, known locally as matooke, being an essential component of many meals, particularly in rural areas, where it can contribute up to 25% of the daily calorie intake, as per data from the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization.

In the process of harvesting these vital crops, the banana stems must be severed, often leading to a seemingly violent scene in large plantations after a bountiful harvest. These severed stems typically go to waste, left to rot in open fields.

However, TEXFAD, a local startup self-described as a waste management group, has seized the opportunity presented by this abundance of discarded stems. They are extracting banana fiber from these stems, which is then transformed into various products, including hair extensions for women.

John Baptist Okello, the business manager at TEXFAD, notes the practicality of their initiative in a country where farmers grapple with millions of tons of banana-related waste. The company collaborates with seven different farmers’ groups in western Uganda and pays $2.70 per kilogram (over two pounds) of dried fiber.

David Bangirana, leader of one such group in the Sheema district of western Uganda, explains that only a small portion of the inner stem is used for fiber extraction, and the residue is returned to the farmer as manure after processing.

TEXFAD also sources materials from a third party, Tupande Holdings Ltd., which collects banana stems from farmers in central Uganda. The stems are carefully sorted, and machines convert the fiber into fine threads.

Aggrey Muganga, the team leader at Tupande Holdings Ltd., states that they work with over 60 farmers, ensuring a steady supply of raw material. However, this number is but a fraction of what Uganda’s vast banana plantations have to offer, spanning more than a million hectares (nearly 2.5 million acres). Banana production has been on the rise, increasing from 6.5 metric tons in 2018 to 8.3 metric tons in 2019, according to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics.

“We extract fiber threads from the sheaths of the stem,” explains Muganga. “Our contribution in the value chain is that we put extra income in the hands of the farmer. We turn this waste into something valuable that we sell to our partners who also make things.”

In a village just outside Uganda’s capital, Kampala, TEXFAD employs over 30 individuals who use their hands to craft unique and aesthetically pleasing items from banana fiber. Their rugs and lampshades, in particular, have garnered attention, with the company now exporting some products to Europe.

This creativity is made possible because banana fiber can be processed to attain a level of softness akin to cotton, as per Okello. TEXFAD is also collaborating with researchers to explore the potential of fabric made from banana fiber, although they currently lack the technology to produce clothing.

Moreover, the company is designing hair extension products with an eco-friendly vision, aiming to reduce the use of synthetic products known to harm the environment. Faith Kabahuma, involved in the company’s banana hair development program, assures that all TEXFAD products are biodegradable, including hair extensions, which have performed well in tests and will soon be available on the market.

She emphasizes the environmental issues associated with synthetic fiber, stating, “The problem with synthetic fiber, they do so much clogging like everywhere you go; even if you go to dig in the gardens right now you will find synthetic fiber around.”

Reporting by Rodney Muhumuza from Kampala.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Sustainable Banana Fiber Products

More about Sustainable Banana Fiber Products

• TEXFAD Official Website
• Uganda Bureau of Statistics – Banana Production Data