PHOTO OF THE MONTH

While often encountered in East Africa and Latin America, Coffee-Banana Intercropping (CBI) Systems are not yet that common in Southeast Asia. They offer interesting opportunities for farmers: total revenue per unit area tends to be higher than for banana or coffee grown alone, agronomic risks are reduced while food security is increased. Bananas provide shade coverage for climate sensitive coffee, and are less water competitive under drought compared to other shade trees.