Musaceae in Venezuela: Brief analysis about its production and expansion

Abstract

Musaceae are considered basic and strategic for their food and medicinal qualities. Musaceae production can be under-estimated by its extensive character; however, these crops are very important in many countries. To analyze the behavior of its spatial distribution, planted area, and production in Venezuela between 1961 and 2019, various sectors were visited, compiling information between producers, in situ observations, documentary review (years 1961 to 2019), stratified references on topographic and edaphoclimatic variability, agroecological characterization (temperature, precipitation, relief, and clay content) of each site. The results indicated that the surface and production showed slight increases until the year 2000, and then they decrease until the year 2011. Later they increased with maximum values in the year 2018. The traditional production zones (ZPT) were redefined, and new areas are indicated. It is concluded that among the ZPT, the south of Lake Maracaibo adjacent to the state of Trujillo, and the Barinas-Alto Apure axis, stand out with the greatest contribution to national production. It is also indicated that the area and production can be affected by factors associated with management and macroeconomic elements. It was observed that as Oil Prices (OP) increase, musaceae imports increase, and imported fruits present low prices, discouraging national production. By lowering the OP (current situation) inflation and low spending power are generated, and the musaceae has an attractive price compared to imported fruits, allowing to increase their demand, to have greater market participation, its could substitute other foods and expand their areas.