Securing bananas’ future isn’t just possible. It’s essential. Because bananas are more than a fruit. They’re a globally important source of nutrition, personal income, and trade. As a staple food, bananas meet the nutritional needs of 400 million people. And as a year-round export crop, they can provide as much three quarters of a farmer’s monthly income. That’s what we stand to lose, every time a banana plantation falls to TR4: food security, livelihoods, and supply chain resilience. So far, TR4 has infected plantations in 20 countries across three continents – and if we do nothing to stop it, its spread will only accelerate.
What is the Global Alliance Against TR4 doing about it? There are four core areas where we’re working to have an impact:

Prevention and Training: Working with smallholders in affected areas to implement measures against TR4 – including good biosecurity practices, early identification and containment – and form ‘TR4-proof’ plantations.
Breeding and Genetics: Using a toolbox of genetic innovations to identify and cultivate new TR4-resistant banana varieties for mass production, ultimately giving bananas a long-term future.
Methods of Control: Developing control agents, diagnostic tools and detection methods with a wide range of sustainability benefits, including helping stop TR4.

Through these workstreams supported by our partners, we’re already active in some of the world’s largest and most susceptible banana-producing countries, helping make a real difference for banana producers, the land and the economy.