The International Tropical Fruits Network (TFNet) and the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI) are planning a joint webinar on banana market potential and disease management, scheduled for January 2027. The webinar will build on previous discussions with focus particularly on safeguarding the banana industry from Fusarium wilt, with emphasis on banana-producing countries in Asia.
The proposal was discussed by TFNet Chief Executive Officer, Mr Muhamed Salim bin Mohd Ali, CABI Regional Director, Ms Sing Yun Chin, and TFNet Technical Officer, Dr Dorothy Chandrabalan.
The webinar will bring together expertise from across the banana value chain, with sessions planned on export opportunities, market access requirements, pest and disease management, and innovations and good practices in banana cultivation.
Bananas are an important crop for food security, livelihoods and trade across Southeast Asia. Major banana-producing countries in the region, including India, China, the Philippines, Indonesia and others, are expected to be featured during the webinar.
Meeting export market requirements will also form an important part of the discussion. Consistent product quality, food safety, traceability, appropriate postharvest handling and compliance with importing-country requirements are important for enabling producers and businesses to access markets and maintain buyer confidence.
A key focus of the webinar will be the challenges posed by Fusarium wilt, particularly Tropical Race 4 (TR4), a serious soil-borne fungal disease that threatens banana production. The disease has been reported in several major banana-producing countries across Asia. As the pathogen can persist in contaminated soil and is difficult and costly to manage once established, prevention, early detection and coordinated farm-level management practices are critical. The webinar will therefore share practical approaches to reducing the risk of introduction and limiting the spread of the disease.
The January 2027 webinar is intended to serve as a starting point for continued cooperation between TFNet and CABI on strengthening the resilience and competitiveness of the banana industry. Discussions and recommendations arising from the webinar will help identify priority needs and inform the development of future, larger-scale workshops and initiatives involving growers, researchers, industry representatives and relevant agencies.