Banana Peel

Today’s lesson is on the banana. The banana is not native to Costa Rica and was introduced into Costa Rica and Latin America through the Spanish and their inhabiting the land. Today, the banana industry is the predominant agricultural trade industry. Focused in the Caribbean low lands, it was predominantly owned and operated by United Fruit, which gave Costa Rica the name of a Banana Republic. Today, United Fruit is gone, but the banana industry is strong and is one of the largest in the world.
As for the business aspect of bananas, according to the United Nations, Costa Rica is the seventh largest producer of bananas, producing 2.2 metric tons (2005 statics). Unfortunately, the net gain for bananas is very low, causing growers to produce as much as they can. This has led to local growers being forced to only grow for personal use and local markets, while large corporations such as Dole and Chiquita selling on the global market.
The actual banana tree has an average life of 25 years and takes lots of nutrients from the surrounding ground. Generally the cultivated plant has been modified to only grow the fruit without seeds (originally, it contained large seeds in the fruit) so they must be transported and produced by cutting parts of the root off. Fortunately, it is not very labor intensive to grow at first.
Now that the lesson is over look here:
Not much to say yet, we are going to a large coffee plantation today called Café Brit to study the corporations approach to growing. Last night we hit up Pascidito again and as usually, it was sweet. I am starting reel from the midnight sleeps and 6am wake ups, so I might take it easy tonight, though I would like to teach the group how to play ultimate frisbee. Look for an update later today on the happenings and a sweet lesson on tourism in this country. No cool quote either.
Song of the day: Café Del Mar by Paul Oakenfold