Development Aspect and Guideline for Ducasse Banana Production, Nong-No Community Enterprise, Kosum Phisai District, Maha Sarakham Province : An Initial Study

Abstract

Ducasse banana (Musa ABB group) is an important economic crop for agricultural communities in Thailand, particularly for community enterprises that add value through processing. However, banana production in many areas faces limitations in yield quantity and quality, affecting the continuity of raw materials and farmers’ income. In the Nong-No Community Enterprise, Wang Yao Subdistrict, Kosum Phisai District, Maha Sarakham Province, banana production has been insufficient to meet market demand due to banana diseases and low soil fertility. Therefore, identifying key constraints and developing appropriate production guidelines for Ducasse banana cultivation in this area is essential. This study was conducted as an initial investigation to analyze the business feasibility of the community enterprise, diagnose banana diseases, and evaluate the physical and chemical properties of soil and water used in banana production. A field-based research approach was applied from November 2020 to February 2021, including field surveys, SWOT analysis of the community enterprise, disease diagnosis through field and laboratory analyses, and soil sampling for assessment of soil properties and plant nutrient status. The results showed that (1) the community enterprise has strong potential for processing Ducasse bananas into dried banana products with high market demand; however, raw material supply remains inadequate due to the outbreak of Panama disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense combined with low soil fertility. Key constraints include low organic matter and insufficient essential macronutrients, particularly nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium. The soils are predominantly sandy, with suitable pH levels for banana cultivation, but nutrient availability is insufficient to meet crop requirements. (2) Based on integrated findings, two appropriate production guidelines were identified: (a) establishment of model plots using both block planting and planting along rice field bunds with disease-free planting materials, together with effective Panama disease management and soil fertility improvement; and (b) transfer of banana production technologies to community enterprise members and local farmers to ensure a continuous and sufficient supply of bananas for processing, thereby enhancing community economic sustainability.