Nendran banana cultivation faces High production cost

Nendran plantation in Kalanjium farm

“Nendran banana cultivation faces High production cost” opined by banana farmer K.Devendran in Kalanjium farm. Nendran the commercial plantain variety and maximum quantity of the fruit is sold in Kerala. There is a push to increase organic Nendran banana farming in Trichy climate that can support Nendran banana production. One method of organic banana farming uses naturally occurring, environmentally friendly microbes feasting on a vegetable mash made up of a variety of cooked grains, letting them ferment. To this mash is added a variety of nutrient-rich materials: charcoal, molasses, milk, chicken manure, forest soil, and over story leaf litter. This mixture is moistened and allowed to compost for eight days. Two handfuls of this compost are put at the base of each transplant. Combine this with careful leaf pruning, topsoil cleaning and periodic enrichment with the mash compost aids in good, clean banana tree growth. Organic bananas are for long term benefits with Nutritional value, the long term benefits to the customer are the same for the organic banana farming community: safe products from a healthy ecological environment. The market for organic bananas in the state of Kerala is increasing at over 10% a year. As part of the pilot project, Kalanjium has already identified 30 acres of land for carrying out the field trials. Kalanjium has entered into contract farming agreements with farmers to get 30 acres of land. The first harvest has come out and they send these Nedran Bananas to Kerala for consumption. The price of the ‘nendran' is spiraling owing to scanty arrivals and rising demand. The spot price touched a record Rs.29.50 a kg at the Meenangadi, a major market. The availability of the banana has not kept pace with the demand. The size of the banana plantations shrank enormously following a sharp increase in production cost and adverse climate. The price is remunerative but the high production cost and the dearth of workers compelled many farmers to leave this field. -Govin