Problems facing the Banana Industry

In my research, banana production in Costa Rica is far from sustainable especially for big business producers. The banana tree´s fruit is highly depended on pesticides for its survival, and it takes a lot of pesticides to produce a good crop. The results of pesticide run off are only bad because it contaminates the soil and usually flows into rivers and streams. It is estimated that 60 percent of pesticides applied to bananas gets carried away from its original destination. Unfortunately around 90 percent of the coral reefs in Costa Rica have been destroyed because of pesticide runoff. This situation is very similar to what we have learned in class, that pesticides create extensive amounts of dead zones at the mouths of rivers.

Also, banana production requires an enormous amount of space, which can only be achieved by deforesting many habitats. The results of deforestation include flooding, landslides, and loss of habitat for other creatures. It is estimated that there have been 18 extinctions of trees in Costa Rica. This not only creates a problem with biodiversity among trees but with animals that are displaced because of deforestation.

Employment in the banana industry is far from ideal. Employees usually work long hours in harsh conditions and they are rarely given the opportunity to organize to improve these conditions. Its estimated that there are 80,000 workers in banana plantations. But only 30% have stable in employment leaving many workers to roam the region. Workers are paid around 250 dollars a month which is more than any other agriculture crop. On the hand these workers only average about 15 years in the industry and are let go by the age of forty because the work is so intensive. Many of the employed workers are kept on three month contracts so they become very disposable and there is little stability for the average worker.

Indigenous citizens to Costa Rica are also facing problems with the banana industry. The expansion of vast amounts of banana companies has often driven out many indigenous people. Many tribes have to deal with the threat of contamination of rivers and soils. Some of these people become displaced and are to become workers.

In my opinion there are a few solutions out there that can solve many of these problems. As we have discussed before fair trade could be an answer to creating a reasonable wage and better working conditions on the plantations. Also, organic plantations would solve many problems pertaining to pesticides and would be healthier to the environment.