Kurnool: Farmers in Nandyal district are cultivating the imported and high-quality Grand Nain (G9) banana variety and reaping good profits.
Traditionally, farmers in the region grew varieties like Sungandhalu and Amrutalu. Now they have introduced the G9 variety. Annually, around 10,000 tonnes of this banana variety is produced. The farmers sell them at Rs 25-27 per kg to export firms.
In Kurnool and Nandyal districts, bananas are cultivated on 9,435 acres. The G9 banana, a high-yielding variety from Israel, produces high-quality, delicious fruits.
The fruit-care-activity method is employed in the cultivation of G9, ensuring larger and longer fruits with excellent yield. Farmers also take special care to enhance the ripening process by covering bunches.
The crop is harvested 11-12 months after planting. Each bunch weighs up to 30kg. The yield per acre is 20-40 tonnes in the first harvest, 10-20 tonnes in the second, and 10 tonnes in the third harvest.
The bananas are typically 6-8 inches in size, with a richer taste and higher nutritional value compared to native varieties.
The G9 variety has gained popularity in Arab countries. Around 10000-12000 tonnes of this produce are exported annually to countries like Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Bahrain. Due to the increasing demand, many companies are showing interest in sourcing bananas from this region.
Currently, they are paying Rs 25,000-27,000 per tonne. Farmers can invest up to Rs 3 lakh per acre for two years to get a yield of 30-35 tonnes. Selling the bananas at Rs 25,000 per tonne, farmers can earn up to Rs 4-5 lakh, covering their investment costs and ensuring profit, according to horticulture officials.
In Peapully mandal, Nandyal, alone, G9 bananas are cultivated in 2,450 acres.
The horticulture department is providing subsidies for G9 banana cultivation. The bananas are graded, packed in airtight covers and transported to Tadipatri and Anantapur, where they are stored in cold warehouses at 13-15°C. From there, they are shipped to Mumbai, Nagpur and other locations before being exported to Arab countries by sea and air.
Farmers say the price per tonne in the Arab markets is Rs 50,000-60,000. The horticulture department offers subsidies of Rs 30,739 per hectare in the first year and Rs 10,240 in the second year.
Tissue culture plants for G9 bananas are provided by nurseries in Maharashtra, Telangana and Tamil Nadu. The cost of each plant is Rs 10-15, with 1,000-1,400 plants required per acre.
Farmers typically enter agreements with companies for the initial harvest, with prices fixed in advance. As a result, G9 banana cultivation remains a profitable venture, as explained by Maddileti, a farmer from Peapully.
