Williams Banana Variety Farming in Kenya

The Williams banana variety is a high-yielding, dessert-type banana known for its excellent taste, disease resistance, and adaptability to different climatic conditions. It is a popular choice among Kenyan farmers due to its early maturity, high market demand, and suitability for both rain-fed and irrigated farming.

Key Features of Williams Banana

• Type: Dessert banana (sweet, soft when ripe)

• Altitude Range: 0 – 1,800 m above sea level

• Rainfall Requirements: 1,000 – 2,000 mm per year (can withstand dry spells)

• Maturity Period: 18 – 24 months (early maturing)

• Yield: 30 kg per bunch (~13 tons per acre)

• Disease Resistance: Fusarium wilt (Races 1 & 2)

• Shelf Life: Long, with firm texture after ripening

2. Climatic and Soil Requirements

A. Climate Conditions

• Temperature: Optimal range is 20°C – 30°C

• Rainfall: 1,000 – 2,000 mm/year (can tolerate dry periods with irrigation)

• Altitude: 0 – 1,800 m (performs well in both lowlands and highlands)

B. Soil Requirements

• Soil Type: Deep, well-drained loamy or sandy loam soils

• Soil pH: 5.5 – 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)

• Avoid: Waterlogged, saline, or highly compacted soils

3. Land Preparation & Planting

A. Land Clearing & Preparation

• Clear bushes and weeds.

• Plow and harrow to loosen the soil.

• Incorporate well-decomposed manure (10–20 tons/acre) to improve fertility.

B. Planting Materials

• Use disease-free tissue-culture plantlets (recommended for high yields) or suckers from healthy mother plants.

• Spacing:

  • High-density planting: 2.5 m × 2.5 m (~650 plants/acre)

  • Medium-density planting: 3 m × 3 m (~450 plants/acre)

• Planting holes: 60 cm × 60 cm × 60 cm

C. Planting Process

1. Dig holes and mix soil with manure.

2. Place the sucker/tissue-culture plant in the hole.

3. Cover with soil and press firmly.

4. Water immediately after planting.

Tissue Culture Banana Seedlings

4. Crop Management Practices

A. Irrigation

• Critical in dry areas: Drip irrigation is ideal.

• Watering frequency:

  • Young plants: 2–3 times per week

  • Mature plants: Once a week (increase during flowering & fruiting)

B. Fertilization

• Basal Application (at planting):

  • Manure: 10–20 tons/acre

  • DAP (18:46:0): 200 g per planting hole

• Top Dressing (3–6 months after planting):

  • CAN (26% N): 100 g/plant every 3 months

  • NPK (17:17:17): 200 g/plant every 6 months

C. Mulching & Weed Control

• Mulching: Use dry grass or banana leaves to retain moisture.

• Weeding: Manual or herbicide (avoid glyphosate near plants).

D. Desuckering & Pruning

• Keep 1–2 healthy suckers per plant for optimal yield.

• Remove excess suckers to reduce competition.

E. Propping (Supporting Heavy Bunches)

• Use ropes or wooden poles to support fruiting plants to prevent breakage.

5. Pest & Disease Management

A. Common Pests

B. Common Diseases

6. Harvesting & Post-Harvest Handling

A. When to Harvest

• Maturity: 18–24 months after planting.

• Signs of readiness:

  • Fingers are plump and rounded.

  • Small flowers at the tip dry and fall off.

B. Harvesting Method

• Use a sharp knife to cut the bunch.

• Leave a short stalk for easy handling.

C. Post-Harvest Handling

• Transport carefully to avoid bruising.

• Ripening: Use ethylene gas (commercial ripening) or store with ripe bananas (natural ripening).

7. Market Potential & Profitability

• Local demand: High (supermarkets, roadside vendors, households).

• Export potential: Growing (Middle East, Europe).

• Estimated yield: 13 tons/acre/year (30 kg/bunch).

• Price range: Ksh 30–60/kg (depending on season).

8. Conclusion

The Williams banana variety is an excellent choice for Kenyan farmers due to its high yields, disease resistance, and adaptability. With proper management, farmers can achieve high profits from both local and export markets.

Key Takeaways:

✔ Early maturing (18–24 months)
✔ High yield (13 tons/acre)
✔ Drought-tolerant & disease-resistant
✔ Long shelf life & high market demand

By following this guide, farmers can maximize their banana production and profitability with the Williams variety.