Parshuram Giri, a resident of Mechinagar Municipality-8 in Jhapa and a returnee migrant worker who spent 17 years abroad, has recently taken up commercial banana farming—and is already seeing promising results. Just two years into this venture, Giri says he’s happy with his decision.
He initially began banana cultivation on 10 kattha of land (one kattha equals 3,645 sq. ft.) and has now expanded to 15 kattha. Buoyed by the positive outcome, he is seeking an additional five bigha (one bigha equals 72,900 sq. ft.) to grow his farming business further. Giri has planted 600 G9 banana plants—a variety known for its large size, thick flesh, and sweet taste. He reports earning Rs 300,000 per season, with a net profit of around Rs 200,000.
According to the District Agricultural Knowledge Centre, commercial banana farming in Jhapa now spans 1,900 hectares, with major cultivation areas in Mechinagar, Arjundhara, Gaurigunj, Kachankabal, Gauradaha, Barhadashi, Kamal, and Bhadrapur. Banana plants typically bear fruit within nine months and are ready for harvest in about a year.
Bananas grown in Jhapa are supplied to markets in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Many of the banana farmers, like Giri, are returnee migrant workers. Land used for cultivation ranges from five kattha to as much as 50 bigha.
Dambar Pahim of Barhadashi has been engaged in banana farming for 21 years. Inspired by his success, Chandra Bahadur Basnet of Jhapa Rural Municipality-3 now cultivates bananas on 30 bigha of land, further popularizing the crop in the region.
Data from the Centre shows that commercial banana farming covered only 30 hectares in 2015. That figure has now jumped to 1,900 hectares, with annual production reaching 37,000 metric tons.
Banana plants bearing fruit sell for Rs 500 to Rs 700 per plant. However, farmers continue to face challenges such as inadequate access to fertilizers, irrigation, pest control, and crop protection measures against wind and diseases.
Common banana varieties cultivated in Jhapa include Chinichampa, Malbhog, G9, and Israeli. -- RSS
