Mushroom Cultivation with Banana: Farmers can earn more profit by cultivating mushrooms with bananas

Mushroom Cultivation with Banana: Farmers can earn additional income by cultivating mushrooms with bananas and make better use of banana waste.

Banana cultivation can prove to be a very profitable business for the farmers of India. It is not only a source of good income, but also an important crop for the agricultural system. Today we will tell you how banana cultivation and its diverse uses can strengthen your economic and nutritional status.

India is the largest producer of bananas in the world. Banana is a high-income crop due to its short growth period and high production capacity. Every part of it – fruits, leaves, flower buds, stem and pseudo-stem can be used effectively.

Importance of Banana in Agriculture System

Horticulture-based agricultural systems play an important role in the agricultural transformation of India. These not only provide economic and social benefits but also benefit the environment. Banana cultivation is an important part of this system which provides good income to the farmers as well as nutritional security. An integrated farming model has been developed in an area of ​​0.70 hectares at Indian Agricultural Systems Research Institute, Modipuram, Meerut. In this model, banana cultivation has been included as an agro-horticultural system (0.04 hectare).

Intercropping with Banana

Monthan banana plants planted at a distance of 2 × 2 meters in July start bearing fruits in 13-14 months. Vegetables like peas and soybean can be intercropped with banana cultivation. This makes full use of the land and gives additional income to the farmer. The results obtained from this model show that 580 kg yield was obtained from banana in 0.04 hectare. This produce can be used for family consumption as well as to generate additional income by selling it in the market.

Mushroom cultivation with banana

Mushroom cultivation with banana is an innovative method through which farmers can earn additional profits. Waste obtained from banana plants has good potential to be used as substrate in mushroom cultivation. Farmers can use leaves of Monthan variety of bananas to produce Pleurotus Florida mushroom (Dhingri mushroom or Oyster mushroom). Mushroom cultivation with banana not only generates additional income but also makes good use of banana waste.

After harvesting, the pseudo stems and leaves of banana contain high amount of lignocellulosic fiber, which is ideal for the growth of edible mushrooms. However, the technology of mushroom cultivation with banana in western Uttar Pradesh is still less developed and needs further refinement.

Nutrient Recycling in Bananas

Banana crop residues are a cheap and effective source of nutrients. The residues left after banana cultivation can be used to make compost. This increases soil fertility and also protects the environment. Studies have shown that a total of 8.07 kg nitrogen, 1.64 kg phosphorus and 18.12 kg potash can be saved from 0.04 hectare area of ​​banana cultivation. This saves nutrients and reduces the cost of cultivation.

Value addition of banana

Various products can be made by processing the fruits obtained from banana cultivation. Monthan banana is a versatile fruit that can be processed into products like chips, pickles, jams and squash. Farmers can increase their income by making products like green banana jam, banana chutney, banana pickle and banana sauce. Studies have shown that processed products made from banana can generate 0.8 to 8.5 times more income.

Economic Benefits

Agri-horticulture model based on banana cultivation can provide good economic benefits to farmers. This model can give a gross return of Rs 344,785 and a net return of Rs 181,324. Farmers can further increase their income by mushroom cultivation with banana and value addition of banana. This model is capable of meeting the food, fodder and income requirements for a family of 4 members.

Ram Singh Yadav is a farmer

Ram Singh Yadav, a farmer from Meerut, used to do traditional farming earlier and had very little profit. After starting banana cultivation, his income increased significantly. He says, “Not only did banana cultivation give me good income, but I also started mushroom cultivation with banana, which doubled my income.” Ram Singh further said, “I also made compost from banana residues and made various products from banana like chips and pickles and sold them. This further increased my income.”

Conclusion

Banana cultivation is a profitable business for farmers that not only provides good income but also ensures nutritional security. Farmers can further increase their income by mushroom cultivation with banana and value addition of banana. 

By using every part of the banana and recycling nutrients from its residues, farmers can make the most of their resources and promote sustainable agricultural practices. The model developed by the Indian Agricultural Systems Research Institute shows that banana cultivation is an important part of the agricultural system that can strengthen the economic condition of farmers.