Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Wednesday, Nov 19, 2003
Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Wednesday, Nov 19, 2003 |
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Agri-Biz & Commodities
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Horticulture/Fruits & Vegetables Banana prices shoot up on poor arrivals Our Bureau
Coimbatore , Nov. 18 BANANA prices have skyrocketed in recent weeks on poor arrivals. A bunch of the poovan banana, which was quoting at Rs 60 to Rs 70 during the same period last year, has shot up to Rs 100 at present, market sources told Business Line. There is an apprehension of further rise in the prices of banana in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, even the existing stock is being sourced from non-traditional banana areas such as Pudukottai and parts of Thanjavur belt. The quality of the fruit is, however, said to be good. According to the Director of the National Research Centre for Banana, Dr Sathiamoorthy, the area under banana cultivation has taken a beating, falling by nearly 30 per cent compared with the earlier years. "Because of the lack of water in the river canal, farmers are apprehensive about raising banana. We have been conducting awareness campaigns about use of minimal water for raising the crop. Earlier, deep trenches were dug in which water was allowed to flow. The water utilisation was almost three to four times greater than what is being used now. Now, we are advising the growers to take to micro-irrigation and conserve water usage, to clonal planting, ratooning of the crop, etc.," he explained. While the researchers are trying to evolve ways and means of enhancing the crop prospects, the intermittent showers and high humidity conditions that prevailed in the Tiruchy belt in the last couple of days are said to be congenial for the spread of the banana leaf spot disease. Although there have been no reports of a rapid spread of the leaf spot disease yet, researchers do not rule out the possibility of a flare-up and have cautioned the growers to take precautionary measures to control the spread. "Banana leaf spot would eventually lead to reduced fruit filling and bunch weight. The grower will not be able to reap a good return," Dr Sathiamoorthy said.
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