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Farmers say that the scope of banana cultivation in the district has increased rapidly, but this crop continues to be ignored in government schemes. Crops like paddy, wheat, maize get relief amount and other assistance. At the same time, due to banana not being included in the assistance list, compensation is not received.
Sitamarhi: Banana production is continuously increasing in Sitamarhi, Bihar, but the problems of the farmers are also increasing at the same pace. Banana is cultivated in hundreds of acres every year in the district, yet it has not been recognized as a horticulture crop. This is the reason why farmers do not get compensation at the time of disaster. The increasing havoc of weather and lack of technical facilities has become a double crisis for the farmers.
Farmers say that the scope of banana cultivation has increased rapidly in the district, but this crop continues to be ignored in government schemes. Crops like paddy, wheat, maize get relief amount and other assistance. At the same time, farmers do not get any compensation even if they suffer losses due to banana not being included in the assistance list. In the past years, the banana crop was ruined due to unseasonal rains and strong storms, but the administration refused to pay compensation. This increased the financial burden on farmers further.
Local farmers Suresh Kushwaha, Raju Sahni and Ram Iqbal Singh say that neither improved varieties of plants nor technical training are provided in the district. Under the horticulture scheme of Bihar government, grants and training are given on many crops, but banana is still a victim of neglect. Due to farming using traditional methods, both production and quality are being affected.
Farmers want that banana should be included in the category of primary crop, so that relief money can be provided in times of disaster. Besides, demands are also being made for training camps, availability of improved varieties and arrangements for processing units. Farmers believe that if proper initiative is not taken, banana production in the district may decrease, which will have a direct impact on the local market and farmers’ income.
However, on this complaint of farmers, District Horticulture Officer Neyaz Ahmed says that the target of farming in 150 hectares has been fixed under the Banana Development Scheme. For varieties like Chiniya, Malbhog and G-9, farmers are provided subsidy up to 70% of the total cost, as well as training and technical assistance.
