CONTRAINTES ET POTENTIALITES DE VALORISATION TECHNOLOGIQUE ET ALIMENTAIRE DE LA BANANE PLANTAIN (MUSA PARADISIACA) EN GUINEE FORESTIERE

The plantain (Musa paradisiaca) is a strategic food crop in West Africa, particularly in the Republic of Guinea. This study analyzed plantain production, processing, and consumption practices and evaluated the challenges associated with adding value to this high-value local resource. To this, a survey was conducted among 300 individuals comprising 50 producers, 100 processors, and 150 consumers across 10 sub-prefectures of N Zerekore prefecture. The study revealed that plantain production is carried out primarily by men (70%) and processing predominantly by women (96%), whereas consumption is distributed almost equally across the population. The Guerze/Kpele ethnic group is the most represented in this value chain. A large portion of the produce is destined for local sale (58%) and household consumption (22%). Processed products include fried plantain (32%), roasted plantain (39%), and plantain chips (25%). Of these processed products, 47% are sold roadside, 28% in local markets, and 18% by street vendors. The majority of respondents (76.66% to 85.33%) are unaware of industrial derivatives of plantains but acknowledge the potential for the industrial utilization of these derivatives. Very few (1.33% to 33.66%) express doubts regarding the industrialization potential of the sector.Mots-cles : Banane plantain, production, transformation, consommation, Guinee.