K. Kannaiyan (60), a marginal farmer who has raised “nendran” variety of banana on his 60 cent land holding at Meenatchipuram near Perugamani, heaves a sigh of relief as he has got back the money spent on raising nendran banana, a sought-after variety in Kerala.
With more than half of the bunches yet to be harvested, he is hoping to get a substantial return from his field for the hard work that he had put in for the last 10 months for raising banana.
Kannaiyan is not the only farmer who feels happy about the yield.
Several other farmers in Sirugamani and Perumani have expressed satisfaction over the output.
Interaction with various farmers revealed that several of them had netted 8 or 10 tonnes of banana per acre as against the average of 11 to 12 tonnes.
There were reports that farmers, who maintained the banana field well as per the standard practices, had got the yield of 12 tonnes.
Long spells of rain during the last year was said to be the main reason for good yield.
“The yield is good when compared to last year. I feel happy that I have produced high quality banana,” says Kannaiyan, who has more than 20 years of experience in raising Nendran variety of banana. He said the merchant who bought the banana bunches from his field had exported it to a West Asian country.
Reports said the harvest of nendran banana had gained momentum over the last few weeks in Tiruchi and Karur districts. Harvest had been completed in about 50 per cent of banana fields.
Asked about the rate offered for nendran in Kerala market, another grower said they had been offered between Rs. 26 and Rs. 28 a kg, which was slightly lower that the price of last week. However, it could not be considered as nominal.
Harvesting of nendran banana is picking up momentum in Tiruchi and Karur districts
At present Rs. 26 to Rs. 28 a kg is the price offered for the produce in Kerala market
Source : The Hindu
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