A model-based approach to maximise gross income by selection of banana planting date

The harvest dynamic model (SIMBA-POP) was used to choose the best planting date of a banana field in order to optimise the gross income. The proposed method takes into account the seasonal variation of the selling price of bananas. The gross income was calculated weekly by multiplying the simulated number of bunches harvested weekly by the mean weight of bunches, and by the current selling price. The weekly gross income over the simulated period was then determined. The study was carried out in Martinique (French West Indies) for climatic conditions corresponding to 50, 350, and 650 m in altitude and for different field management strategies (number of cropping cycles before replanting). The result of our simulations showed that the optimal planting month enables a 10–36% increase in income over the worst month.