Banana and tapioca farmers across the district are facing a steep drop in prices due to a drop in demand, although banana farmers are expecting little improvement before the Onam season, in the post-March situation.
The epidemic had seen farmers taking the cultivation of both crops seriously and expanding the acreage under them. It is learned that there are about 8,000 hectares under ‘Neandran’ and other varieties of bananas, while tapioca is spread over about 5000 hectares.
A banana and tapioca farmer from Mekkadambu, near Poloz Pongathil, Muvattupuzha, said the price of bananas had dropped to ₹ 30 kg in this season as against ₹ 35 to ₹ 40 in the previous season. He said that rem 35 to 40 would be the remuneration price for 40 farmers.
At the same time, the price of tapioca fell to the 7 kg. This is not a situation where tapioca cultivation is remunerative, Avoli to p. Sasindran said. He said that he harvested the crop on two acres and only harv 7 kg at the farm gate.
“We are forced to sell at a price fixed by traders,” he said, even adding that he felt the cycle of price decline had hit farmers across the state. He said that this year, the added 25 to ₹ 30 was expected, as the COVID-19 restrictions were relaxed and demand was expected to increase.
The closure of catering business units in towns was one of the major reasons for the sluggish demand for tapioca, which is an all-time favorite for outside eaters. Mr. Sashendran said he delayed tapioca harvesting on another 1.5 acres because of the low price.
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