Tackling fungus: Banana exporters seek Govt intervention

It is a soil-borne fungus that attacks the roots of the banana plants and turns its leaves yellow. Fusarium wilt, a deadly fungus, that has been spreading in Asia and Africa affecting the $36-billion global banana production, has been detected in banana plantations in neighbouring Pakistan.

The fungus has reportedly been detected in an area that is prone to flooding and could be a cause of concern for plantations in India, which is the world’s largest banana producer. India has an annual banana production of over 30 million tonnes.

Following outbreaks in Jordan and Mozambique a year ago, the fungus has reportedly spread to Pakistan and Lebanon, experts have said, and could potentially threaten plantations across India.

Even as banana exporters across India are coming to grips with the situation, many are asking the government to assist growers. Some exporters have also urged the government to step in and protect their livelihood.

“Government intervention is urgently required. There is a lot of misunderstanding within government circles that (banana) exporters have a level playing field, but that is not the case. This fungus has been known to decimate entire plantations. Are we even aware and ready to tackle it,” questioned a banana exporter stationed in Mumbai, requesting anonymity.

Commonly known as the Panama disease, the original strain in Cavendish bananas wiped out entire plantations in Panama. It also brought Indonesia’s banana exports of around 100,000 tonnes annually to a grinding halt, causing annual losses of around $134 million in revenue in Sumatra alone.

The disease has created havoc across many countries. Late last year, it had affected more than 6,000 hectares in the Philippines, and 40,000 hectares in China, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). The FAO urged countries to step up action to fight the spread of the Panama disease.

Mid-February, the government of Philippines announced it would provide $2.3 million to counter the disease that has been crippling the country’s banana plantations. The nation has also introduced a new variant – the Fusarium wilt resistant Cavendish banana variety, exports of which have recently passed muster, and have been accepted by the Japanese market.

Commenting on this, the Indian banana exporter pointed out, “Despite all the problems ailing banana plantations in the Philippines, the Panama disease and El Nino, banana production has actually increased by 2.8 per cent in 2014. In 2014, 8.88 million tonnes was recorded in the Philippines, higher than the 8.64 million tonnes recorded in 2013. Government intervention has clearly helped.”

Another exporter pointed out that the introduction of the new banana variety from the Philippines was found to have high resistance to the disease.

The new variant was cultivated by the Philippines Bureau of Plant and Industry. “When will the Indian government take a leaf from this,” asked the exporter.

Data from the National Horticulture Board showed that Tamil Nadu holds the highest share in terms of banana production, with 5.13 lakh kg accounting for 19.38 per cent share. Maharashtra followed in the second spot with production at 4.52 lakh kg with 17 per cent share.

Andhra Pradesh was in the third position with 13.58 per cent share, followed by Karnataka at 12.23 per cent share and Bihar at 9.54 per cent share.

However, exporters pointed out that several acres of banana plantation have been destroyed due to a storm at Mettupalayam, 40 km from Coimbatore, in January this year, while last month, heavy rains and wind destroyed banana cultivations across Devanallur, Idaiyankulam and Padmaneri villages in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. Parts of Maharashtra too have had heavy rain in the first week of May, destroying standing banana crops.

Noting that several cultivators and exporters were aware of the fungus threat from Pakistan, a banana exporter said it was high time the Indian government stepped in to ensure appropriate regulatory measures for farmers, similar to the governments of Ecuador and the Philippines. The two nations continue to be the top two banana exporting countries in the world.

“Steps should be taken to firstly inform and educate farmers about the disease, and programmes initiated to minimise the spread of the disease, which could compromise the country’s booming industry.

The government should also boost shipments,” he said.

Banana is available throughout the year, and usually takes between 3 and 10 days to reach any export destination.

The exporter pointed out that Australia’s Queensland University of Technology has also developed genetically modified iron-rich bananas. An agreement has been signed with the Queensland University and five Indian partners, including the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). The exporter added that the government needed to inform if this variety could be made disease-resistant.

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