Australia’s Far North could become a major banana-growing region, horticulture experts say. Aaron McCloy has hosted two workshops this winter, sharing the basics about banana plantations, with another to be scheduled in Kerikeri. He said farmers had been told they needed to improve their waterways, but many didn’t know how. “They are excellent at absorbing nitrates and phosphates in run-off from cows, thus preventing them from reaching streams. The attractiveness of banana plants producing 10-20kg bunches within three years cannot be overlooked.”McCloy and his partner, Elle Montgomery, run Far North Tropicals, while McCloy also teaches horticulture and science at Taipa Area School.

Source: New Zealand Herald August 17, 2023 12:15 UTC