Banana growers in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district are reporting losses as low market prices have led some producers to destroy fully grown crops. Farmers state that buyers are absent and current rates do not cover basic input costs, leaving months of labour and investment without returns.
Footage from Hatnawar village in Dharampuri shows farmers using tractors to uproot plants that had been maintained for months. Producers say they waited for traders to arrive, but were left with no option other than clearing fields. Some growers report investing lakhs of rupees, with returns described as too low to compensate for production expenses. One lakh rupees equals about US$1,200.
Farmers in Hatnawar describe both financial strain and emotional difficulty in removing mature plants. Several growers say that destroying crops is mentally exhausting and adds to their operational pressure.
The situation follows comments by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav regarding possible future uses for banana plant residues. He said, "We are preparing to set up a textile factory using banana stems, fibres, and leaves. Textiles will be made from banana crop waste." Farmers noted that such initiatives may create future opportunities but said current market conditions remain challenging.
Madhya Pradesh is the seventh-largest banana-producing state in India, with an annual output of nearly 2.5 million metric tons, accounting for more than 6.5 per cent of national production. Producers say high production figures do not ensure stable or fair pricing, leaving growers vulnerable to market fluctuations.
Destroyed harvests in the region highlight ongoing volatility in the banana supply chain and the need for solutions that can limit losses for growers during periods of low demand and weak market pricing.
Source: Madhyamam
