'Banana and plantain are the fourth most important global food crop and export commodity. Their production provides a vital source of income for farmers in developing countries through local and international trade.' Research projects, funded by the World Bank and its partners for the Banana Improvement Project (BIP), have led to exciting discoveries, contributed considerable useful new knowledge, and established strong collaboration and linkages that will continue into the future. This publication is a distillation of all of the documentation, highlighting the important outcomes and impacts of the research funded by BIP. BIP funded 18 research projects in four broad technical areas, biotechnology, germplasm collection and characterization, plant improvement, and pest and disease management. It had two main objectives: 1. To develop and evaluate improved banana varieties with export potential, which would incorporate increased productivity and durable disease resistance through conventional and nonconventional breeding techniques. 2. To develop more efficient and integrated disease management practices.