Ivan Buddenhagen argues that without bats to pollinate wild bananas and disperse their seeds, these ancient plants would eventually disappear from tropical forests.

Whilst banana and plantain are crucial to food security in most countries of tropical Africa, the continent is playing a growing role in the world banana trade. Alistair Smith, International Coordinator of the NGO Banana Link, argues that strengthening food security should be a much higher priority for Africa, despite the allure of plantation employment.