Banana production continues to face pressure from climate variability and plant health issues, and new data from the Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that bananas and other major tropical fruits generated more than US$122 billion in 2024. Exporting countries such as Ecuador, Colombia, and Costa Rica remain exposed to weather and disease challenges that influence supply stability and market access, FreshPlaza notes.
Black Sigatoka, thrips, and Moko disease remain key concerns for growers. Black Sigatoka reduces photosynthetic activity and influences ripening and fruit quality. Thrips species such as Thrips palmi and Frankliniella spp. cause surface scarring that affects fruit grading. Moko disease, caused by Ralstonia solanacearum, leads to irreversible wilting and plant loss and can spread through tools, vectors, and planting material.
SynTech Research Group continues to run crop protection trials aimed at assessing fungicides, insect management tools, and post-harvest approaches across production regions. “Banana growers face unprecedented challenges. Our mission is to provide science-backed solutions that protect crops, livelihoods, and the future of sustainable agriculture,” said Jasper Barnes, Global Business Development Director and Regional Director of Asia Pacific at SynTech Research Group. All trials operate under Good Laboratory Practice protocols.
Also read: Climate change threatens future of banana export industry
In Latin America, SynTech’s work includes an 8.5-hectare experimental station in Ecuador, which supports disease efficacy trials, biostimulant assessments, and post-harvest simulations designed to replicate transport stresses. In Colombia and Costa Rica, additional trials focus on Black Sigatoka management and fruit integrity during distribution.
In Africa, SynTech’s activity is based in the Canary Islands, in Adeje, Tenerife. The location allows residue trials, efficacy testing, and post-harvest simulations related to pest complexes that include banana weevil, red spider mite, golden twin spot moth, whiteflies, mealybugs, thrips, and nematodes. These trials support integrated pest management strategies under tropical conditions.
In Asia, the company’s program in the Philippines supports early-stage compound development through collaborations with international partners. Trial targets include Black Sigatoka, Moko disease, and Panama disease.
The company continues to evaluate emerging tools such as drone applications, digital monitoring, and precision agriculture systems, and is increasing its work with biological products. The global trial network is intended to reflect local agronomic conditions while generating data for regulatory and product development use across banana production regions.
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