Collector V. Vishnu has ensured the banana growers who comprehensive training could be awarded for them in making value added services and products out of banana Apart from creating all of infrastructures required for that value inclusion at Kalakkad.

While socializing with all the banana Brands of Kalakkad, the ‘Banana Basket’ of the Tirunelveli district, on Wednesday, the farmers informed that the Collector that different kinds of banana were cultivated over 5,500 acres across Kalakkad and the chosen banana were auctioned in neighboring Sirumalanji. Besides dealers from the southern districts, most buyers out of Kerala were buying banana against the farmers. He also scrutinized the banana fibre-making unit, handicrafts made of banana fiber along with the components making banana chips and banana powder.

“If a banana auction centre is established at Kalakkad, the farmers will get better price for their produce. Moreover, appropriate training on making value-added products from banana and infrastructure for the value-addition will uplift the farmers’ living conditions,” the farmers depended.

Holding the requirements, he promised the farmers that immediate steps could be used to create each of infrastructures needed for value-addition of banana. Joint Director of Agriculture Gajendra Pandian, Deputy Director of Agriculture Muruganandam and also Assistant Director of Horticulture Dilip followed the Collector.