Planting of nendran banana picks up pace in Tiruchi district

Plantation of ‘nendran’ variety of bananas has reached its final stage in Tiruchi district.

Nendran banana constitutes about one-third of banana cultivation in the Tiruchi district. It is one of the staple food items, mainly in Kerala. It fetches good prices if the produce hits the market on time. Hence, a section of farmers in Tiruchi, particularly landowners along the banks of the Cauvery and the Kollidam, raise nendra banana. Availability of groundwater and the assured irrigation sources are cited as the main reason for farmers to raise nendran banana though the land is highly suitable for paddy cultivation.

According to sources, banana crop is raised on about 7,000 hectares in the district. Of this, nendran crop is raised on about 2,500 hectares. Most of the landholdings in Andhanallur, Kuzhumani, Pettavaithalai, Manikandam, Mutharasanallur, Jeeyapuram, Thiruvalarcholai, Thiruvanaikoil, Kavutharasanallur, Kilikoodu, and Panayapuram have been brought under nendran cultivation.

Planting of nendran had reached its final stage. According to official sources, 700 hectares had so far been brought under nendran cultivation. Farmers, who went for early harvest of banana in January and February, had completed the plantation process and farmers, who completed harvest of banana in March and April, had started the process of plantation work by levelling the fields.

“We have completed the task of planting bananas in our area. The recent rain has helped us to plant bananas without sourcing water from farmers, who have pump sets for irrigation,” said S. Senthil, a farmer of Panayapuram, who has brought his four acres of land under banana cultivation.

According to sources, several farmers availed loans by entering into buy-back arrangements from banana traders in Thirssur, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Pallakkad, and others in Kerala.

A section of farmers have raised nendran bananas on leased lands in Thiruvalarcholai, Jeeyapuram, Manikandam, Kuzhumani, and others.

“I have paid ₹30,000 an acre to the landlord for raising banana plants per season. In addition to it, I have paid ₹10,000 for irrigating the field by getting water from the neighbouring farmer, who has a pump set, with the hope that the season will be good,” another farmer in Thiruvalarcholai said.

Published - May 31, 2025 06:32 pm IST