Why bananas are planted in June in Hajipur, know important things related to banana cultivation from progressive farmer Bambam Rai

Bananas are cultivated all over the country, but the sweetness that is in the bananas of Hajipur is not found anywhere else. The China banana here is famous all over the country and has also become synonymous with Hajipur. Just as the taste of litchi becomes fresh on taking the name of Muzaffarpur, similarly the sweetness of China banana dissolves in the mouth on taking the name of Hajipur.

The team of Kisan of India has also reached Hajipur, and our correspondent Sarvesh Bundeli talked to progressive farmer Bambam Rai of Malipur village of Hajipur about how banana cultivation is done in this area and what kind of problems farmers have to face.

Best time for banana cultivation

Although banana cultivation is done all over the country, the weather of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar is best for its cultivation. Actually, banana cannot bear both extreme heat and extreme cold, so in Bihar farmers usually cultivate it in June-July.

Progressive farmer Bambam Rai, who has been cultivating banana for many years, says that he has planted banana in 20 acres of land. According to him, planting banana in the month of June gives a good crop. After the rains, he digs near the roots of the tree and puts fertilizer and then irrigates. Although separate irrigation is not required in monsoon, but sometimes if the rains are not good, then irrigation is done from boring.

How to grow bananas without seeds

Usually, fruit, cereal and vegetable plants are grown from seeds, but bananas do not have seeds, so its plant is grown from rhizoma (which is the stem or any part of banana). New plants are grown by cutting and separating the rhizome of the old banana tree. Bambam Rai says that bananas are grown in his place from beet (rhizome).

First, the rooted rhizome is separated with the help of a hoe and then it is planted. He says that 16 banana plants can be planted in one kattha. 5 beets are grown by planting one beet. In this way, 80 pots are ready in a year by cultivating in one kattha. Fertilizer needs to be applied to the banana tree only once a year. The banana plant or root is planted at a distance of 12 feet.

How to protect against pests and diseases

Pests and diseases cause a lot of damage to any crop. Banana crop also suffers a lot from pests and diseases. Bambam Rai says that trees are infested with pests due to dirt, pollution or bad weather increases the chances of pests. Not only this, there is a high risk of floods in this area, so pests are also one of the reasons for pests.

To avoid this, they spray thymus and lime etc. in the fields, so that the pests die and the farming is good. Apart from pests, there is also a disease of drying of trees which is called Panama Wilt. In this, the leaves turn yellow and the gourd is not ready. In such a case, Bambam Rai asks the shopkeeper and puts medicine from the market in the plants.

Storm prevention measures

Storm also causes a lot of damage to the banana crop, so farmers give support of bamboo or apply soil to protect it. Regarding this, Bambam Rai says that storm can come at any time which causes a lot of damage, therefore, to protect the trees from storm, they provide bamboo support to the trees so that the trees do not fall and the crops are saved from getting destroyed. 

Delicious dishes are made from bananas

Everyone eats bananas as a fruit. Apart from this, raw banana chips are also very popular, but in Bihar, various types of delicious vegetables are made from bananas, which taste amazing. Bambam Rai says that banana vegetable, bhujia, kofta, fish fry vegetable are very delicious. Once someone tastes them, he can never forget it.

How much is the profit

After growing a good crop, a big problem for the farmers is to take it to the market, but there is no such problem with Bambam Rai. He says that there is a market nearby where bananas are sold by the kilo and by the bunch. Usually he sells bananas at the rate of 15-16 rupees per kilo and 500 to 600 rupees per hundred. Banana cultivation costs a lot. He says that if there is no flood, the crop becomes good, which can lead to good profits. That is, the profit depends to a great extent on the weather.

Are you planning to make fibre from banana tree?

Fibres are made from banana trees at many places, but no plan related to this has come in Hajipur area yet. Bambam Rai says that no plan related to making fibre, clothes etc. from bananas has come from the government in his area yet, it would have been good if it had come, because many times farmers have to suffer a lot when the crop is destroyed. In such a situation, making other products will be beneficial for the farmers.

How many varieties of bananas are cultivated

Hajipur’s Chinaya banana is popular all over the country, Bambam Rai grows 6 varieties of bananas which include Kothiya, Chinaya, Bareilly Chinaya, Kanthali Chinaya, Alpan, Batisa. Regarding its specialty, he says that Alpana is thick and small, while Kanthali Chinaya is long and very sweet, Bareilly Chinaya is both thick and long and tastes good. The size of Chinaya banana is a little small, but all bananas are sweet. Batisa banana is one feet long and it is also used in vegetables.

Online scientific consultation

Bambam Rai says that he has got the facility from the government that in case of any kind of problem, he can consult online. In his area, Nilgai causes a lot of damage to the crops, so he wants to request the government to take some measures to remove Nilgai.

Advice to farmers

Bambam Rai is also ready to help new farmers, he says that 16 beets are planted in one kattha, so farmers can take beets from them and plant them as per their need. After a year, the field will have to be ploughed again, grass etc. will have to be removed, beds will have to be made and watered, then manure will have to be added, first add cow dung manure and then irrigate. In June-July, add 5 kg of manure in one kattha and then irrigate. If there is no rain, then it is necessary to irrigate at an interval of 20 days.