Have you ever wondered how bananas grow when they don’t have any seeds? Have you ever seen a red banana? Did you know that Tenerife has its own autoctonous sheep?
You can experience all this and more by joining a tour at Serviagroc Farm!
Have a blast, become a banana expert and support local initiatives and eco-farming, discovere another side of Tenerife, you won’t regret it!
Serviagroc's Ecological Practices
Serviagroc Farm is a completely ecological farm with a circular economy ethos that guides every one of its ventures.
We met up with one of the owners, Jacobo, who guided us through the maze of banana plantations, answering any questions or curiosity that arose and showing us step by step how each byproduct of the process becomes the basis for another product, there is no room for waste at Serviagroc.
Not only does Serviagroc recycle all their own organic waste by either feeding it to their cattle (excess bananas) or by it into compost/fertilizers (the old bedding of the animals is treated and used to fertilize the banana plantations). They also turn any other organic waste into compost, they can receive uwards of 20 truckloads of green wate a day, coming from nearing golf courses and hotels. They also recycle the byproduct of beer production which benefits both the soil and the cow’s stomach. In 2023 Serviagroc recycled 14 million kilograms of waste.
This waste gets processed into compost which is then sold in bulk to other farmers or gardeners or you could buy the more refined version for household use, such as plant food or nutrients.




How are Bananas Grown?
So, how are bananas grown then? Essentially, bananas are weeds. They don’t have seeds, so the only way to grow them is to select the strongest sapling or “daughter” plant, that is why in older plantations you can see the trunks of old banana trees. In fact, once the bunch of bananas is ready for picking, the tree is cut in order to redirect the water towards the sapling to give it the best chance to grow strong and tall. A well cared for plant can last up to fifty years simply by cycling between mother and daughter(s). Growing bananas is a lengthy process, each tree produces only one bunch and it takes 12 months for it to from flower to fruit. Therefore proper care of the trees is fundamental. As Serviagroc is full ecological and organic there are no chemical pesticides are weed killers. The trees are kept healthy by getting the dust washed off, manual weeding, pheromone traps and deflouring of the bananas, one by one, this must be done in order for them to grow properly. The bunches are also moved into direct sunlight with the help of metal poles so that they can ripen evenly.
There are many more details in banana cultivation and Jacobo is more than happy to desrive them to you!



Autoctonos Breeds
Finally at Serviagroc you can see first hand the autoctonous canarian sheep whose main quality is its total lack of wool. This is a typical feature in cattle and sheep of Northern Africa and other hot/tropical climates, sheep with wool could not withstand the hot temperatures. They produce very little milk, only enough for their young. For this reason they are mainly used to produce meat, at Serviagroc, they are also used to create and recycle organic waste.
All in all Serviagroc is a fantastic example of new farming pratices which are circular, good for the environment and good for us, we highly recommend you pay them a visit!
Disclaimer: this activity is not currently available as Serviagroc is still waiting on some permits, we will update it as soon as live.





Our favorites
• Discovering the difference between red bananas, plantains and bananas
• The Pelibuey sheep
• Seeing the composting process
• The cute calfs
• Circular farm
• Ecological and natural products


Canary Green’s tips to enjoying sustainable tourism in Tenerife
Visiting Tenerife on holiday doesn’t give you free rein to leave your values and principles at home. We encourage travellers to seek out sustainable options and keep up with environmental practices while travelling. Our top tips for a relaxed and wholesome stay include:
- Consider green transport options. Are you able to take a ferry to the island instead of flying? While you are here is a car necessary? Investigate public transport links or choose green options such as electric cars, green-hydrogen cars or e-bikes.
- Choose destinations that value sustainability and choose green alternatives such as solar power, recycling and energy-efficient architecture. This extends to places that value workers’ rights and the impact on the local community.
- Bring your own water bottle with you and refill it instead of buying single-use plastic bottles.
- Make use of the recycling when out and about and don’t just throw your rubbish in the nearest bin.
- Take advantage of local knowledge and immerse yourself in the culture through campaigns such as #Ilovecanarias and #meatfreemondaycanarias.
- Most of all, have fun and enjoy your time in the Canary Islands.
If you are interested in booking a tour with Jacobo at Serviagroc and supporting sustainable tourism in Tenerife, find more details here
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Thank you
Thank you to everyone involved in this Canary Green project where our aim is to help promote sustainable tourism in the Canary Islands.
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