Determination of factors involved in the rejection of bananas (Musa acuminata) intended for international commercialization

Abstract

Rendering production and trade more sustainable can be accomplished via promoting innovation and sustainable business models. This paper addresses sustainable production and international trade in the banana agro-export sector of Ecuador. This activity provides millions of dollars in income, but with this development, a series of quality standards have been established to enter the competitive export system. These criteria contributed to establishing good post-harvest production and management practices that guarantee optimal banana and plantain production. The objective of this study is to determine the factors involved in the rejection of bananas (Musa acuminata) intended for international commercialization. Our methodology considered the design modality of non-experimental transactional research, using a quantitative approach. Methodological design was developed in three phases at Finca 6 Hermanas, located in the Barraganete sector of the San Juan parish in the Puebloviejo canton of the Los Ríos Province, Ecuador. Results highlight that 79.55 % of reasons for banana rejection are abiotic factors (damage, dry latex, scar, insect damage, broken neck, and overgrowth), while biotic factors ( twins, diseases, and short finger) cause 20.45%. Over the 6-week duration of our investigation the average rejection was 6,361 fingers and 1,269 kg. The analysis of variance turned out to be significant for variable 1 (biotic and abiotic). In this case the null hypothesis (Ho) is rejected; with the criterion of p-value < 0.0001 and F (9; 45) = 2.10., F = 13.17> F critical. For variable (2) “work weeks”, Ho is accepted for p-value of 0.7694 and F (5; 45) = 2.4. As F = 0.51 < F critical, one can conclude, that with a significance level of 5% the null hypothesis is accepted. It is also established that these figures enable strategies that systemically mitigate the damages via correcting the causes that lead to the deterioration of banana and, by this, increase the economic gains of commercialization.