Trichy: Praising Tamil Nadu for its significant contribution to the banana cultivation in the country, Chhabilendra Roul, special secretary of department of agriculture research and education (DARE) and secretary of Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) asked the farmers to produce banana to suit the need of the market.
Speaking at founders’ day of NRCB, he said, “Earlier we produced without seeing who the consumer is, only for the sake of production. If there are tonnes of banana, there will not be a market for the fruit. A farmer may not know where the markets are and who will consume the same. It is only when we join our hands together in forming a producers’ company or organization, it is possible to get any kind of information.”
The secretary assured to establish a separate lab for doing research to formulate bio-nutrients for the benefits of the farmers in NRCB in Trichy.
While replying to the demands put forth by the farmers, Roul assured to convey the food processing secretary to set up a banana processing centre in Tamil Nadu.
During the felicitation address, the director of NRCB, S Uma said that NRCB in Trichy coincided with the annual production of 14 million tonnes during the early 90s, from an area of only 4 lakh hectares. And now it has crossed from 8 lakh hectares of area with almost 30 million tonne production. That means nearly 200% enhancements in area and production have been witnessed which has coincided with the inception of the institute.
The director said, “In order to encourage many venture capitalists and exporters, for boosting the banana export which would help the growers to get a good price for their produce, this year the theme of the event was fixed as Banana Exports Prospects.”
Source:https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/
