Banana Resort becoming basis of prosperity

By Prabin Kumar Sharma,Chandrapur (Rautahat), Apr. 28:  Hundreds of farmers in Rautahat are involved in commercial banana farming.  Along with banana farming, the idea of making and serving various dishes from bananas has made some people in Rautahat successful entrepreneurs.

Rakesh Gupta of Ishanath Municipality-2, Auraiya, who has made about 26 varieties of dishes from bananas, is now a well-known name not only in Ishanath Municipality but also throughout the district. 

With the facility being named 'Banana Resort', people from all over the district and bordering India come to his resort located in Ishanath Municipality, Auraiya to eat banana dishes every day.

Resort director Gupta said that people come to Banana Resort to taste dishes such as banana chips, pickles, pakodas, finger chips, chili, sekuwa, samosa, momo, kheer, barfi, custard, and haluwa, which are made from raw and ripe bananas.

Dishes made from bananas are also popular with consumers because they are beneficial in terms of health, he said.

Gupta said that there is also a seminar hall in the middle of the banana trees.

The resort, which is spread over an area of about 22 katthas of land, has its own banana plantation. 

As there is also a training hall, banks, schools, cooperatives, non-governmental organisations, and municipalities also organise various programmes here, he said.

During the programmes, participants eat local products and also support publicizing his resort, he said.

The number of people who earn a living by selling bananas in Rautahat is also significant. 

The restaurant business is also flourishing with bananas as its mainstay. Recently, one banana restaurant has come into operation in Ishanath Municipality and two in Durga Bhagwati Rural Municipality of Rautahat district.

Banana farming, which has both challenges and opportunities, can be profitable if people work hard with less investment, said businessmen.

Rakesh Giri, who is operating banana resort in Durga Bhagwati Rural Municipality-1, said that the resort has been supporting to manage household expenses for his family.

Director Giri said that he earns up to Rs. 80,000 a month by selling bananas and making different dishes of banana.

A total of 46 types of banana dishes are made at the Banana Resort, which Giri operates on an area of eight katthas.

As he also makes cakes, cakes are also consumed well at celebrations such as birthdays, weddings, and wedding anniversary celebrations, he said.

He said that people come from different parts of the district to drink banana wine as well.

Another entrepreneur Rajnish Kumar Sharma, who operates banana resort in Durga Bhagwati Rural Municipality-2, said that 40-50 consumers come every day to eat healthy snacks made from banana with low investment.

From resort operation along with the sale of bananas, he earns around Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 40,000 per month, and said that there is no problem in supporting the family.

According to Sharma, the role of the local government is necessary to increase the consumption of dishes made from bananas.

He said that when schools serve different types of banana dishes as lunch once a week, their business will increase and children will also get healthy snacks, so the local government should take initiative in this regard.