Bananas produced by Nepali farmers are rotting in fields as Indian bananas continue to enter Nepal without restrictions. Farmers say the situation worsened after the government reduced import taxes on Indian bananas and did not enforce plant quarantine checks at border customs points.
Nepali bananas are usually marketed between July and November, but growers report difficulties selling this season. "Instead of supporting local farmers, the government has slashed taxes on Indian bananas and ignored quarantine checks, causing our harvest to rot in the fields," said Dipendra Tharu, president of the Banana Producers and Traders Association in Kailali. The group has demanded a temporary ban on Indian banana imports until November, stricter quarantine procedures, and priority for Nepali bananas.
A memorandum has been submitted to Sudurpaschim Province Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah requesting that imports be halted through the Kailali and Kanchanpur customs offices. Farmers warn of protests if no action is taken. "If Indian bananas are not stopped immediately, we will be forced to launch a phased protest," said association chairperson Chaudhary.
Farmers report sharp price declines. "We're being forced to sell bananas for Rs 10–15 (US$0.075–0.11) a dozen, which doesn't even cover production costs. We're on the verge of collapse," said farmer Kamal Rawat of Tikapur, who cultivates bananas on seven bighas. Tikapur bananas typically supply Dhangadhi, Mahendranagar, Nepalgunj, Surkhet, Dang, Butwal, and other markets. Last year bananas sold for Rs 40–50 (US$0.30–0.38) a dozen, but this year many remain unsold, according to farmer Tekendra Dhami.
The Nepal Banana Producers Federation Committee in Kathmandu has also called for government action, warning that unchecked imports are worsening the trade deficit and displacing local producers. Farmers from Kailali, Kanchanpur, Bardiya, Nawalparasi and Chitwan have joined the appeal.
Bananas are cultivated in 69 districts across Nepal. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, the country produces 383,285 tons annually on 23,404 hectares, valued at around Rs 15 billion (US$113 million). In Kailali alone, production is valued at more than Rs 2 billion (US$15 million), said Santosh Upadhyay, associate professor of agricultural economics at Sudurpaschim University.
Globally, India is the largest banana producer, with 866,000 hectares under cultivation and an annual output of more than 30 million metric tons, accounting for 26 per cent of world production. China, Brazil and Indonesia follow, while Nepal ranks 11th, with 23,000 hectares in production.
Source: The AnnaPurna Express