Farmers rue over Indian banana import

BY OUR CORRESPONDENT,Bardiya, Oct. 5: Despite the festive season, bananas grown in Bardiya have failed to sell in the market, leaving local farmers frustrated. According to the farmers, the main reason for stocking up local produce is the continued import of Indian bananas, which has undermined demand for domestic produce.

Bananas are cultivated on nearly 500 hectares of land in Bardiya, but farmers said that only around 250 hectares worth of bananas have been sold so far. In previous years, traders used to visit farms before Dashain to purchase the fruit. However, this year, even when farmers approached traders themselves, sales remained sluggish.

“Last year, traders paid up to Rs. 600 per crate during Dashain, sometimes for as many as 10 dozen bananas,” said Toplal BK, Chairman of the Bardiya Banana Entrepreneurs’ Association. “But this year, farmers are pleading with traders and selling for as little as Rs. 200 to Rs. 350 per crate. Lots of bananas will rot in the fields.”

Banana trader Shambhu Prsad Adhikari said that sales were lower compared to last year. He added that the Gen Z protest had also affected the market. He warned that if bananas remain unsold until Tihar, farmers’ investments could collapse.

Bardiya has been emerging as a banana hub under the Banana Zone Programme, producing around 15,000 metric tonnes annually. Nearly 700 households are engaged in banana farming, generating an estimated Rs. 400 million in transactions each year. Farmers have also adopted modern practices such as ripening and storage chambers, tissue-culture nurseries, and fiber-extracting industries.

Still, without effective market management and tighter restrictions on Indian imports, farmers fear their hard work will continue to go to waste.