Ramdev Mahato, a local farmer of Sunsari, earns Rs 5 lakh per year from banana farming. Mahato, who has been involved in banana farming for the past four years, is a renowned banana farmer of the country. Mahato has succeeded to become an exemplary figure for flourishing banana farming in the district.

A resident of Narsing Village Development committee (VDC) ward No 8, Mahato is farming banana professionally in a seven bigha field. Mahato, who used to earn one Rs one lakh rupees per 30 hectares earned Rs five lakh rupees this season. He does not farm only bananas but also grows potatoes. “But one cannot earn over Rs one lakh profit from potato farming every year”, said Mahato.

Mahato has received several awards for banana farming. He has been awarded from the Fruit Development Directives (FDD) under the agriculture department of the government while he acquired first position in a nationwide competition organised by FDD.

According to Ramlakhan Mandal, assistant Bagwani development officer at District Agriculture Office, Dang, Kanchanpur, Kailali and Nawalparasi are other major banana farming districts.

Farmers of the district used to farm banana on three hectares of the district, which comprise the whole field of Narshingh, Bhokaha, Madhuban, Laukahi, Dumraha, Badiya, Kaptangjung, Dewanjung, Sahebjung and Inaruwa municipality. Mandal added that they have announced a package programme in those areas.

More farmers are benefiting from the banana farming in the district. They used to invest Rs 3,000 per kattha (local unit of land measurement) from which they earn Rs 6,500 per month. Farmers are using truck as a means of supply. Kathmandu, Pokhara, Narayangadh and Hetaunda are the main market of the banana produced in Sunsari district.

Local farmers say that bananas imported from India are killing the business.

Agriculture development officer Hemsagar Gautam says that the government should take the issue very seriously. The farmers say that the government should take initiatives to protect their business.