ICAR-NRC on Banana and VFPCK, Kerala makes Nendran Bananas available for Indian Expatriates in Europe

8th March, 2021, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu

Under a joint venture by the ICAR-National Research Centre on Banana, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu and Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council Keralam, Kochi, Kerala, a consignment of 10 Tonnes of farm fresh Nendran Bananas was shipped to London today. It is a first of its kind attempts to cater to the needs of Indian Expatriates in the United Kingdom.

In his address, Dr. Anand Kumar Singh, Deputy Director General (Horticultural Science), ICAR hoped that reduced shipping costs by sea to one-tenth of that required for air cargo will make Nendran Bananas cheaper for the Indian Expatriates from Kerala and Tamil Nadu. He highlighted the emerging opportunities for the Indian Banana Exporters due to the decline in yields and exports from the other banana producers like Costa Rica, Colombia and Ecuador due to flood, drought and fusarium wilt.

Dr. S. Uma, Director, ICAR-NRC on Banana, Tamil Nadu opined that successful execution of the project will provide an impetus to quicker and cost-effective sea exports of traditional Banana varieties to the European markets and fetch higher prices for farmers.

The Agricultural Production Commissioner, Government of Kerala mentioned the potential for exports of 2,000 Tonnes of Nendran per year from Kerala via sea in future and the plan to set-up a pack house in Wayanad District for up-scaling the processing, packaging and exports of fruits and vegetables.

An expert team from the ICAR-NRC on Banana, Tamil Nadu comprising Dr. S. Uma, Director, ICAR-NRC on Banana; Dr. R. Thangavelu, Dr. V. Kumar, Dr. K.N. Shiva and Dr. P. Suresh Kumar provided the technical expertise including developing pack house facility and shipment protocols for Nendran Banana to the officials of VFPCK, Kerala.

The shipment is expected to reach London well in time for sale in the markets of the U.K. and Scotland during Vishu, the Malayalam and Tamil New Year to be celebrated on 14th April, 2021.

The ICAR-NRC on Banana imparted hands-on-training to the Banana farmers from Thrissur District on the scientific cultivation of Nendran following Good Agricultural Practices to produce export quality Nendran Bananas.

(Source: ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana, Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu)