The first standards for responsible production were developed during a year of meetings in Costa Rica. The debates included agronomists, banana growers, community leaders, scientists, environmentalists, government agencies and others interested in improving tropical agriculture. The commitments of several progressive farmers and banana companies toward improving agricultural practices have been critical in raising the bar for the banana industry. Highlighted are vibrant examples of producers, large and small, who have demonstrated innovation and increased worker morale. The BBP standards are objective, concrete and verifiable.
Inspectors make regular and surprise visits to the farms, verifying that the changes are being made.
Some changes are easy to see - reforestation, managed forest reserves, recycling and composting, pollution control systems, improved infrastructure, training programs, new medical clinics and schools for the children, water monitoring data, buffer zones protecting rivers and worker housing, new sanitary facilities, and so on. But all of these changes are important and all are stimulated and monitored by the program's technical specialists. The Better Banana Project proves that a major agricultural industry can be steered toward sustainability. Progressive farmers and environmentalists are working together to meet shared objectives. Consumers can do their part by seeking out products from certified farms.