A first-of-its-kind venture floated by the John Pennycuick Farmers’ Trust (JPFT) at Cumbum in Theni district of Tamil Nadu has proved to be a game changer. In less than three months’ time, Aroma Banana, the trade arm of the trust, has turned the market for the Theni banana in favour of Cumbum Valley growers.
Started on April 14 this year, Aroma Banana’s objective is to ensure that all benefits accrued to growers without the involvement of middlemen in the supply chain.
The entry of Aroma Banana has changed the market dynamics. Earlier, farmers used to take the produce all the way to Bengaluru for sale in the wholesale market using their own transport arrangement. Traders from neighbouring places and Kerala also descend on Cumbum to pay an ‘advance’ to farmers. The banana crop is harvested by farmers and delivered to traders, who make piecemeal payments.
Explaining the operations of Aroma Banana, M. T. M. Mahendran, Chief Executive Officer, says that the main objective is to get global acceptance for Theni banana, which he believes is superior in quality. At present, Cavendish Grand Nain, grown widely in Cumbum Valley, is exported to the Gulf countries for three buyers and Turkey. Technical inputs are given to farmers periodically, who are also trained to protect the export banana bunches from getting bruised. Additional support is provided for bunches, which are over five feet in height, to prevent uprooting of trees. As they grow, foam sheets are introduced between banana hands to prevent damage and bruising through pressure.
“The Theni banana has a shelf life of 42 days. Unlike traders, who wait till 90 per cent ripening in farm, we cut the banana at 75 to 80 per cent maturity. Its glucose content is 21 per cent, against 14.5 per cent of Grand Nain grown in Ecuador. This is the reason for Theni banana’s superior taste. The diameter of each banana measures 44 to 48 in Banana Caliper, against the international standard of 42 to 47. The average length is 23.5 cm,” says T. K. M. Karthikeyan, Secretary of JPFT.
“This will considerably reduce wastage and fetch more profit for farmers,” says Mr. Mahendran. At present, export has picked up at 1.5 containers a day, and 40 containers of 20-tonne capacity each roll out of the facility every month. More local varieties such as ‘Nendran’ are to be brought into the export spectrum. “Farmers also want us to expand to organic vegetables,” says M. T. M. M. Hari Vignesh, who takes care of on-farm activities.
