Plantain is a staple food and major source of carbohydrates for millions of people in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, and the Pacific. The herbaceous plants require a tropical climate and fruit continually but it takes 6 to 8 months for the fruits to mature. The plants are often grown as a mixed crop with other agricultural products such as cocoa or yams.  The fruit is predominantly used for human consumption and is generally cooked by boiling or frying when mature (green) or ripened. There is great potential for the crop in improved production methods and post-harvest techniques.