Banana: Farmers get just Rs 60 a dozen but it is Rs 200 in market

By TRN Online, Nawalparasi (East Susta, Bardaghat), April 27: The banana farmers have been complaining that they are getting only Rs 60 per dozen of banana while the market price has surpassed around Rs 200. 

Banana farmer of Madhyabindu Municipality-6, Durga Prasad Bhurtel, complained that he slashed business scale in the midst as he was not getting price even for production.   

He has been doing banana business for the last nine years as he has been in the farming for longer than 30 year. 

Bhurtel said, “we are getting Rs 5 or 6 of each banana. It is hard to sustain at this level of price in relative to the cost incurs , Bhurtel said. The cost has been continuously rising due to pest, hailstorm”. 

Similarly, a resident of Kawasoti Municipality-13, Fulkumari Mahato, also said that she is dismayed although she has been doing banana farming in 4 bigha land with a hope to earn good income but not getting reasonable price.  

 “we have huge investment in banana farming but compelled to sell at a cheaper price while retail consumer are paying high price. Its difficult to know who is taking huge benefit in the between”, she said.

According to Kawasoti Krishi Upaj Thok Bazar Baybasthapan Committee ( Kawasoti agriculture production retail market management committee), the wholesale price of banana is Rs 132 per dozen but its retail price is Rs 150.   

The farmer will be getting around Rs 60 to 72 per dozen only. This has raised the question on market system. 

Bhurtel said that control over middleman, determining reasonable price and direct access to market could provide some relief to farmer. 

He said the attraction towards banana farmers could impact if effective policy is not introduced.  

According to information officer of Krishi Bikas Karyalaya (Agriculture Development Office) Sanjay Dhakal, the banana farming expanded along the area of 551 hectare of land in the district.