KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 17
Bananas worth Rs 40 million have been imported from India to Janakpurdham, the capital of Madhes province, solely for the Chhath festival.
Bananas are a must-have fruit for performing various rituals associated with the Chhath festival. Those observing Chhath fasting make an offering of a single banana comb to the Sun god.
The demand for bananas is high during Chhath, and the local supply is insufficient to meet this demand, necessitating annual imports, according to Bishweshwar Yadav, president of the Janakpur Fruits and Vegetables Traders' Committee.
Despite the fertile soil in the Tarai-Madhes region of Nepal being suitable for banana cultivation, local production falls short of meeting the increasing demand each year.
Yadav stated, 'Last year, bananas worth Rs 17.5 million were imported to Janakpur. This year, nearly 70 truckloads of bananas have entered the provincial capital.'
The Gopal and Bansibhog varieties of banana have been brought to Janakpur from Bhardaha, Bhantabari, and Inaruwa of Saptari district of Nepal, while the Malbhog, Mirichman, Chini Champa varieties of banana have been imported from Assam, Guwahati, Bangal, Hazipur, Thakurgunj, and Champaran of India, said Bhuwaneshwar Purbe, the Committee Secretary.
He shared that the price of bananas has increased by 25 percent amidst Chhath this year compared to last year. 'The demand for bananas has been growing as the number of people observing the Chhath festival increases every year. This year, 15 to 20 more trucks of bananas have been imported compared to the previous year to meet the demand,' he said.
Yadav, the Committee president, mentioned that there are 1,200 combs of bananas loaded in a truck with 10 wheels. The transportation cost per truck up to Janakpur is Rs 600,000. Each banana comb is sold in the market within the range of Rs 500 to Rs 1,000.
Local varieties of bananas are grown throughout Nepal. Some of the popular varieties cultivated in Nepal include Malbhog, Jhapali Malbhog, and William Hybrid Robusta, among others.
Banana traders and cultivators note that although there is immense potential for banana farming, banana production has not increased in the country due to technical problems."
