Banana cultivation in Bihar's Hajipur region has been heavily affected by repeated floods this season, leaving growers facing losses and demanding government support.
Hajipur is known for its China Banana and Malbhog varieties, which supply markets across India. Farmers now fear they will be unable to meet demand during the upcoming Chhath Puja festival. "There has been flooding here at least four to five times. Many farmers have died. There was banana cultivation here that was to be used during Chhath Puja. We don't know what to do. People working in this business are now at a standstill. The cultivation is destroyed. What can the farmers do?" said farmer Rajkishor Rai.
Labourer Suresh Kumar added, "There was flooding four times here. Due to the repeated floods, farmers are facing heavy losses. The banana cultivation is destroyed. We are located near the River Ganga. The cultivation of pointed gourd and wheat is also destroyed."
Some growers now expect to seek loans to replant. "There are a lot of problems. We are facing heavy losses, as collecting the bananas will take a lot of money. After collecting the bananas, if the farmers are not able to make any money, then they will have to take loans and replant the crops. We don't know if wheat can be cultivated or not. The banana crops are destroyed. The water is still there," said farmer Mahendra Rai.
Farmers have urged the government to provide compensation and invest in flood prevention. "We are facing issues due to the damage to banana cultivation. There has been no cultivation of pointed gourd. There has been flooding on the shores of the Ganga. The government is not looking into this issue. We want the government to make a dam here. And since we have lost our banana farms, we should be given some compensation," said farmer Mahesh Rai.
Others believe the situation could feature in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. "Compensation for banana farmers could become an election issue. We will raise it. This topic will be part of the election," said farmer Ram Babu.
The Bihar Assembly elections are scheduled in two phases on November 6 and 11, with results to be announced on November 14.
Source: Mathrubhumi
