Value-added merchandise can remodel enterprise for banana farmers in Tiruchi district

Although over 40 merchandise have been manufactured with worth addition to banana, a serious crop within the Tiruchi district, solely 10 or so have grow to be economically possible lately, making it crucial to diversify the method, R. Selvarajan, director, ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana (NRCB), has mentioned.

“We have given 250 licences for manufacturing banana stem juice to agri-tech entrepreneurs in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala. For a payment of ₹25,000, farmers are educated to provide and market the product underneath our mentorship. Similarly, banana fibre extraction, which has a licence payment of ₹1 lakh, is a extremely worthwhile enterprise if carried out within the appropriate method. Many farmers are unaware of the potential of the banana’s round economic system,” Mr. Selvarajan informed The Hindu.

Of late, corporations have been arising with merchandise similar to noodles and pasta made with millet flour, banana blossom pickles, cookies, vitality malt drinks, and so forth.

This yr, the export marketplace for uncooked banana flour has boomed in West Asian and European nations, mentioned Mr. Selvarajan. Additionally, NRCB has situation licence to not less than 10 farmers specialising in ripe banana powder that can be utilized as a pure sweetener or sugar substitute.

“To extend the shelf lifetime of the banana from three days to a number of months, we’re utilizing photo voltaic dehydrators and pure preservatives similar to honey and ghee to create our merchandise. Value-added merchandise assist banana farmers to monetise their crop surplus as an alternative of destroying it. As consciousness about banana’s medicinal advantages goes up, there can be extra takers for value-added merchandise,” mentioned V. A. Kalyanasundaram from the advertising and marketing division of Tamil Nadu Banana Producer Company Ltd., an umbrella organisation of the Thottiyam Banana Producer Group (TBPC).

With a membership of over 1,000 farmers, TBPC sells not less than 15 value-added banana merchandise underneath the ‘Madhur Fruits’ model.

“Every a part of the banana plant has a industrial worth, which is helpful for small and marginal farmers. We try to encourage clusters of farmers to spend money on expertise and coaching to maintain their prices low. Though expertise is available, solely 70% of farmers who use it are capable of maintain their manufacturing,” mentioned Mr. Selvarajan.

In the approaching months, NRCB is planning to open an internet portal to promote the merchandise of their licensees on-line. “We need to present banana growers that if carried out proper, their earnings from worth addition can match or exceed their agricultural revenue,” he mentioned.