# Farm Typologies of Banana and Plantain Smallholders: Agricultural Practices and Disease Constraints in Department of Huila, Colombia

## TL;DR

This study classifies banana and plantain farming systems in Colombia's Huila region, identifying agricultural practices and disease patterns among smallholders.

## Contribution

The study introduces a typology of Musa crop systems in Huila, linking agricultural practices to disease prevalence and land use.

## Key findings

- Four distinct Musa crop systems were identified based on Good Agricultural Practices and disease prevalence.
- Elephantiasis and Sigatoka were the main diseases associated with different farming clusters.
- Most Musa systems are compatible with coffee production, supporting regional agricultural planning.

## Abstract

Bananas and plantains (Musa spp.) are among the most widely cultivated crops in tropical regions and are consumed worldwide. These agricultural systems provide fundamental products in the Colombian basket of goods and generate the highest domestic rural employment. However, multiple crop types and diverse technologies implemented in Musa have not yet been characterized. This study aimed to classify smallholder Musa crop systems in one of the most productive Musa Department (Huila) and assess their relationships with the existing coffee system in this region. Seventy‐four farmers were interviewed in six municipalities of Huila, Colombia. The questionnaire‐based interview included four aspects related to producers: socioeconomic, locality, crop establishment, and crop management. Additionally, land use for Musa and coffee was assessed geographically. Based on producer answers, descriptive, proportional flow diagrams, factor analysis of mixed data (FAMD), hierarchical clustering on principal components (HCPC), and correlation analyses were performed. Most participants interviewed were male (91%, n = 67), had an elementary or high school education level (91%, n = 67), and were over 29 years old (96%, n = 71). Four groups of Musa crop systems were identified in four locations based on the implementation of Good Agricultural Practices and the main disease registered: (i) no Good Agricultural Practices certification (GAPc) in the southern subregion; (ii) GAPc in the center subregion; these two items show elephantiasis as the main disease; (iii) no GAPc in the center subregion; and (iv) GAPc in the northeastern subregion; these two clusters register Sigatoka as the main disease. All banana system localizations and 87.9% of plantain systems are highly suitable for coffee production. These findings support local government plans and Musa farm decision‐making aimed at increasing Musa production in Huila, Colombia.