Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru/Kasargod (MS)

Mangaluru/Kasargod, Jan 5: Nendran banana crop, which was grown in abundance a few years ago in Dakshina Kannada and Kasargod districts, is facing a fall in price.

The price of Nendran banana was Rs 50 to 60 a kilo in the district of Kasargod just a month ago. Now it has fallen steeply to Rs 20 per kilo. The raw plantain gets half the price.

Though the fall in price is a boon to the buyers, the agriculturists who grow this crop are facing difficulties. As this variety of banana is being imported from states like Tamil Nadu, the local produce has lost its demand.

Priyaraj, an agriculturist of Bovikkana says, "When the crop is ready to be harvested we have to sell it for a lesser price. We have to put manure, spray pesticides and provide water to the plants. When there was good demand, we used to get Rs 30 to 35 per kilo. Now there are no buyers for Rs 10 per kilo also."

In the district of Dakshina Kannada, Nendran banana farming has reduced as the demand for it has gone down in recent years. Even the rural area farmers are growing this only as a stop gap crop between arecanut and coconut crops.

At present, Nendran is sold at Rs 30 to 40 per kilo in Mangaluru. Some roadside vehicles are selling them at even lesser price.