Kerning Cultures Somalia's Banana Battles
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Mar 16, 2023 Nadeen Shaker and Sawsan Abdillahi, producers who explored the hopeful return of Somali bananas, are joined by Koshin Garane, a farmer revived his family's banana plantation after years in Nairobi. They discuss the historical significance of bananas in Somali culture, the devastating impact of civil war on agriculture, and the daunting challenges of revitalizing the banana industry. With determination and innovative farming practices, they ponder the potential of Somali farmers to reclaim their agricultural legacy amidst ongoing struggles.
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Return To The Family Farm
- Koshin Garane returned to his family's 500-hectare farm to revive banana production after years in diaspora.
- He found mixed crops and remnants of past banana plantations rather than the export operation he remembered.
Colonial Infrastructure Built The Trade
- Italians industrialized banana farming in Somalia, building irrigation, rail links, and a port for exports.
- They also created guaranteed markets in Italy, embedding bananas into Somali export structures and local economies.
Export Dependence Became A Vulnerability
- Banana exports became central to Somalia's economy and policy under Barre's regime and joint ventures like Somal Fruit.
- That export focus made the sector vulnerable to political shocks and dependency on foreign markets.