Nepal produces Rs 2.66b worth of bananas yearly

SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, NOV 11 -
Nepal produces banana worth Rs. 2.66 billion annually, according to government statistics. The country produces 88,849 tons of banana on 5,714 hectares of land. The banana output accounts for 0.4 percent of the Agriculture Gross Domestic Product (AGDP).

Although, bananas are grown across the country, the Tarai plains lead in output. Kailali is the top banana producing district in Nepal with production in the last fiscal year reaching 11,558 tons.

Other large producers are Morang, Nawalparasi, Chitwan, Sunsari, Rupendehi and Kapilvastu. Production in these districts amounted 10,635 tons, 8,021 tons, 6,202 tons, 6,038 tons, 3,661 tons and 2,893 tons respectively.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Nepal ranks 56th in banana production in the world.

India is the world’s largest producer. In 2008, India’s output amounted to 26.29 million tons worth US$ 3.73 billion. After India, the Philippines is the second largest banana producer with a total output of 8.68 million tons, followed by China (8.42 million tons) and Brazil (6.99 million tons).

Nepal has six different species of banana. “If the country steps towards commercial banana farming, Nepal’s land has the potential to yield 15-20 tons per hectare,” said Agriculture Ministry spokesperson Hari Dahal. Fruits traders said that the banana supply in Kathmandu amounted to 20,187 tons worth Rs. 600 million at wholesale prices in the first seven months of the current calendar year.

“Of the total supply, 76 percent is produced in Nepal while the rest is imported,” said Narayan Dhital, president of the Fruits Traders Association. About 24 percent of the bananas consumed in Nepal is imported from India.

Though the fruit are available in all seasons, Dashain, Tihar and Chhath are the major events when consumption of bananas surges in Nepal. With traditional crops like rice, wheat, maize and millet having lower yields in recent years, farmers are switching for cash-crops like banana of the late. According to Agriculture Ministry, there has been increment in the commercial banana farming in Nepal.