KADAPA: The Andhra Pradesh government is planning to transform banana cultivation into a year-round income source by promoting the commercial utilisation of the entire banana plant, instead of relying solely on fruit sales. Drawing inspiration from successful models in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon and Tamil Nadu’s Kanyakumari, the state is preparing to establish banana processing units, with Nandyal likely to get the first such facility.
“At present, farmers earn only from the fruit. But every part of the banana plant, including the flower, pseudostem, fibre, sap and central core, has commercial value,” said U. Nagaraju, horticulture officer, Nandyal district. “We have studied the Jalgaon and Kanyakumari models and are working towards setting up a processing unit in Nandyal,” he said.
Officials said farmers in Jalgaon have substantially increased their incomes by converting what was once agricultural waste into value-added products. Even the pseudostem, usually discarded after harvest, can generate additional income through fibre extraction and processing.
Despite extensive banana cultivation, Andhra Pradesh has very few processing facilities, leaving growers vulnerable to frequent price fluctuations. As banana is highly perishable, prices often crash during periods of excess market arrivals.
Officials said value addition could help stabilise returns. Besides fresh fruit, bananas can be processed into chips, powder, candy, halwa, pickles and other products, extending shelf life while increasing market value.
The initiative is also expected to create rural employment. Small-scale processing units can be established with modest investment, enabling women self-help groups and rural youth to manufacture and market banana-based products.
“With proper training in processing, hygiene, packaging and marketing, women and rural youth can become successful entrepreneurs while creating a sustainable village-level livelihood model,” an agriculture department official from Kadapa district said.
Processing units in Kanyakumari already manufacture a range of products, including banana flower pickles, pseudostem pickles, fruit candy, halwa, powder, vadagam and raw banana pickles.
Officials propose a phased implementation by identifying banana-growing clusters, training farmers and self-help groups, standardising product quality and linking producers with retail outlets, fairs and online markets.
With Kadapa, Kurnool, Nandyal and Anantapur among the state’s major banana-growing districts, officials believe the initiative could create a comprehensive value chain, reduce wastage and improve price realisation for farmers.
Wealth Generated from One Hectare of Banana in Jalgaon
Material Output
Banana Fibre 4,248 kg
Pseudostem Sap 93,833 litres
Tapti Amrut 21,310 litres
Tapti Energy Loose 26,718 litres
Organic Compost 44,000 kg
Vermicompost 8,315 kg
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