KAILALI: Banana farmers in Kailali and Kanchanpur have urged the government to strengthen market monitoring, saying they have not benefited from the recent rise in banana prices in local markets.
At a press conference organized on Thursday, the Banana Producers’ Association, Kailali, and the Banana Producers and Business Association, Kailali, said farmers are selling bananas at Rs 60 to Rs 65 per dozen, while consumers are being charged significantly higher prices.
The associations called for regular market monitoring to control black market practices, artificial shortages, and unusual price hikes, saying such measures would benefit both farmers and consumers.
They also thanked the federal government for banning the import of bananas and banana saplings from India, saying the decision would support domestic production, protect farmers’ interests, and strengthen food security.
The associations also announced a price list for raw bananas, stating that bananas will be sold at Rs 55 to Rs 65 per dozen until mid-October, Rs 45 to Rs 50 until mid-December, and Rs 30 to Rs 35 per dozen during January and February. Prices for the spring season will be determined based on production, market conditions, and demand-supply levels.
Banana farming covers around 2,000 hectares of land in Sudurpaschim Province, producing nearly 72,000 metric tonnes of bananas annually.
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