Kanchanpur. Mohan Rana of Shuklaphanta Municipality-12, Kalagaundi, who returned from foreign employment, has been engaged in commercial banana cultivation for the last nine years. Annually, he has been earning income by selling bananas produced in the field from Rs 1.5 million to Rs 2 million.

Rana has cultivated banana on three bighas of land including two bighas of rent and one bigha of ownership. Nine varieties of high-yielding bananas have been planted in the banana field. Last year, Rana had sold bananas worth Rs 1.8 million. Rana is confident that the production will be higher than last year as there is adverse weather for banana cultivation this year.

Rana plans to sell bananas produced in the field during Dussehra-Tihar. “The demand for bananas is high during Dashain-Tihar,” he said, adding, “The price is also available as expected, so we have been preparing bananas for sale at this time.” ’

Rana said that the traders used to take the car to the field and buy bananas by giving money hand in hand. In bulk, bananas are being sold at Rs 500 to Rs 600 per watch. More than 10 to 15 dozen bananas are produced per clock. Around Rs 400,000 is spent on banana cultivation, including chemical fertilisers, fertilisers, irrigation and workers’ wages.

He has also been providing employment to 10 to 12 workers on a seasonal basis for the work of banana godmel planted in the field. “He worked in India for a few years as there was no employment at home,” he said, adding, “After that, he worked in Malaysia for three years, working abroad, only the household expenses could be saved, so he returned home and initially cultivated banana on a trial basis on four kattha land.” ’

He says that after giving good yield, he has encouraged to make farming professional. Income is increasing by increasing the area of land. He said that at present, around Rs 1 million is saved annually by deducting expenses. He said that sometimes the damage is not like any other crop except that the storm and wild elephants damage the banana crop.

According to him, both husband and wife spend more than eight hours a day taking care of bananas. Shuklaphanta-12 ward chair Nawal Singh Rana said Mohan was a good farmer in the municipality area. “Mohan has not only made his family self-reliant,” he said, adding that he has also inspired other youths of the village. ’