Asian Journal of Agricultural and Horticultural Research

Banana is an important crop, supporting food security, nutrition, income generation, employment, and livelihoods. However, banana cultivar diversity is influenced by complex interactions among several factors that remain inadequately documented in Kenya’s main production areas. The objective of this study was to evaluate factors influencing the diversity and distribution of banana cultivars in three Kenyan counties to inform appropriate management. A survey of 509 farmers was conducted using structured questionnaires and observations. Cultivar diversity was assessed using cultivar richness (S), Shannon diversity index (H), and Pielou’s evenness index (J). County differences were evaluated using the Kruskal–Wallis test, followed by Dunn’s pairwise comparisons with Bonferroni adjustment for significant differences. The results identified 35 banana cultivars from 1,947 observations. Overall diversity was relatively high (H=2.59), while evenness was moderate (J=0.73). Significant differences were observed in diversity index (H=6.496, P=0.039) and evenness (J=6.630, P=0.036), but not in richness (S=3.893, P=0.143). Although Shannon diversity differed significantly overall among the counties (P=0.039), Dunn’s pairwise comparisons with Bonferroni adjustment did not identify significant differences between county pairs. However, cultivar evenness was significantly higher in Embu than in Meru (P=0.030). Gender, education, farming experience, labour availability, income contribution, market orientation, land allocation, and cultivar selection criteria varied significantly across the counties (P < 0.05) and were associated with differences in cultivar distribution and management. Marketability (Meru 37.6%, Tharaka-Nithi 33.3%, Embu 29%) was the leading criterion for cultivar selection, and selection criteria differed significantly between counties (χ² = 56.609, df = 16, P < 0.001). Commercialisation encouraged the adoption and wider distribution of improved cultivars, which, in turn, may reduce traditional cultivar diversity. The study concludes that banana cultivar diversity and distribution remain substantial but are shaped by socioeconomic and market dynamics. Strengthening gender-responsive extension services, indigenous cultivar conservation, farmer-to-farmer germplasm exchange, and promotion of both improved and locally adapted cultivars are recommended to support productivity, climate resilience, and sustainable conservation of banana genetic resources.