Banana Producers Clarify Prices Not Increased by Farmers, Demand Minimum Support Price and Market Regulation

The Nepal Banana Producers Federation has clarified that farmers have not raised banana prices, asserting that intermediaries in the market have excessively increased prices. Federation President Bishnu Hari Pant stated that farmers sell Malbhog bananas for NPR 70 to 85 per dozen and hybrid bananas at NPR 50 to 60 per dozen. The federation has appealed to the government for market monitoring, determination of a minimum support price, and improvements in the agricultural insurance system. Kathmandu, 8 Baisakh.

The federation emphasized that banana-producing farmers have not increased prices despite surges in market rates, attributing the situation to middlemen exploiting the market. Both farmers and consumers are being defrauded due to intermediaries’ malpractices. While farmers sell bananas for NPR 50 to 85 per dozen, consumers are compelled to pay up to NPR 400 at retail markets, prompting widespread complaints and leading the federation to demand immediate market regulation from the government.

According to Bishnu Hari Pant, chairman of the federation’s interim committee, over the past 15–16 years, the price received by farmers per dozen has increased by only NPR 6 to 8, whereas consumer prices have surged sharply. “We sell Malbhog bananas from our orchards at NPR 70 to 85 per dozen and hybrid bananas at NPR 50 to 60, but due to artificial scarcity created in the market, prices reach NPR 350 to 400,” Mr. Pant explained.

The federation reports that although the annual demand for bananas in Nepal is around 900,000 tons, domestic production is currently only about 700,000 tons. The shortfall of approximately 200,000 tons leads to banana shortages in the market, particularly during the months of Baisakh, Jestha, and Asar. “Though production is somewhat lower this season, from Shrawan to Poush, Nepali bananas will fully meet market demand,” Mr. Pant asserted.

Currently, banana cultivation covers 15,700 hectares nationwide. He noted that expanding cultivation by an additional 6,000 to 7,000 hectares could make Nepal fully self-reliant in bananas. Considering the threat posed by the dangerous Panama TR4 disease, the government has banned the import of Indian bananas to ensure biosecurity.

The federation has called on the government to quickly implement effective market monitoring to curb excessive interference by middlemen. They have submitted various demands, including establishing a minimum support price for bananas, simplifying and enhancing the agricultural insurance system, and ensuring easy access to quality tissue-cultured plants and chemical fertilizers. These measures aim to protect both farmers and consumers from exploitation.