Mysuru: A steep decline in banana prices has left growers in Chamarajanagar and Mysuru districts grappling with losses. Varieties like Elachi, previously sold for ₹70–₹100 per kg, are now fetching just ₹15–₹25, while Paccha Bale has dropped from ₹30–₹40 to a mere ₹10–₹15.
The crash in prices stems from multiple factors, including unseasonal rainfall, fresh banana supplies from Tamil Nadu, an oversupply in local markets, and reduced winter consumption. Farmers, who invested heavily in cultivating bananas on over 23,000 acres across the twin districts, are now facing significant financial strain.
Baradanapura Nagaraj, a banana grower, lamented the reversal in fortunes. “I spent ₹60,000 to cultivate one acre, expecting good returns. With traders from Tamil Nadu and Kerala halting purchases, we are forced to sell at rates that don’t even cover costs. Hopcoms purchases offer limited relief as they cannot accommodate all farmers,” he explained.
Deputy Director of Horticulture Manjunath Angadi attributed the price drop to an influx of fresh arrivals and a lack of festive demand in November. “The cultivation area has expanded due to schemes like MNREGA and horticulture missions. However, this oversupply has worsened the price slump. Stabilization is expected in the coming months,” he said.
Farmers are calling for interventions to stabilize the market and secure their livelihoods amidst ongoing challenges.
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