In response to the spread of tropical Fusarium race 4 (TR4), one of the most destructive diseases affecting banana cultivation, the Peruvian Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation (Midagri), through the National Institute of Agrarian Innovation (INIA), has established two research plots in the Santa Sofía (Marcavelica) and Chacaltana (Querecotillo) sectors of the Piura region.

At the El Chira Agricultural Experimental Station, INIA specialists will assess the agronomic performance of the Formosana 218 banana variety, evaluating its resistance to pests, field yield, and outcomes from harvest and post-harvest processes. 

These studies aim to develop accessible technological solutions for small and medium-sized banana producers in the Region. The research will focus on identifying agricultural practices that improve disease management, maintain soil fertility, and enhance productivity per hectare.

The Formosana 218 variety, when combined with beneficial microorganisms such as Trichoderma, offers a viable short- to medium-term solution to mitigate the impact of Fusarium on approximately one thousand hectares of banana crops affected in Piura.

In total, eight experimental units are planned to be established in strategic areas of the Region, with six set to be implemented over the next two months. The evaluation process will span a continuous two-year period.