Farmers in the Gyadi area of Kushma Municipality, Parbat district, are earning substantial incomes through commercial banana farming.
Currently, 65 farmers in Pipaltari and Katuwa Chaupari cultivate bananas on 1,000 ropani of land, with each farmer earning between Rs 50,000 to Rs 300,000 annually from banana sales.
Seven years ago, these farmers primarily engaged in traditional farming, growing rice and millet. However, they transitioned to commercial banana farming after realizing its higher profitability, said Baburam Sharma, coordinator of the Gyadi Banana Block, speaking to the state-owned news agency RSS.
Banana seeds and saplings were first introduced to the Gyadi area three decades ago from the Rapti River basin in Chitwan district. The Prime Minister Agriculture Modernisation Project extended its Banana Block initiative to the area around five years ago to boost commercial production, providing farmers with subsidised seedlings, tools, fertilisers, and technical assistance, Sharma added.
The farmers grow a banana variety renowned for its high resistance to diseases. The harvested bananas are sold in local markets, including Kushma, Cycle Chowk, Phalebas, Maldhunga, and Patichaur, as well as in the neighboring Baglung district.
According to banana farmer Deepak Subedi, the expansion of road networks to the village has significantly improved market access, enabling traders to buy directly from farmers.
Additionally, lands left uncultivated due to the migration of youths seeking foreign employment have been effectively utilised for banana plantations, said farmer Shovnath Lamichhane.
RSS
