Pulivendula banana farmers suffer over 60% price drop

Banana farmers in Pulivendula, a major cultivation hub in Andhra Pradesh's Kadapa district, are grappling with a severe market crash. The once-lucrative crop, which recently fetched Rs 22,000 per tonne, has seen its price plummet by over 60% to Rs 8,000 per tonne within a single month. This steep decline has left cultivators distraught and facing heavy financial losses.

The Pulivendula region is a cornerstone of banana cultivation in Kadapa, with nearly 20,000 acres dedicated to the crop across mandals like Lingala, Pulivendula, and Vempalle. The area's bananas are particularly sought after for their superior quality and extended shelf life, lasting up to 14 days, making them a favorite for both domestic markets in cities like Delhi, Kolkata, and Hyderabad, and for exports to Arab countries.

The current crisis is a heavy blow for many farmers who transitioned from growing sugarcane to bananas in search of higher profits. Despite past government assurances of support for horticulture and export promotion, the sudden market volatility has left them in a desperate position. The glut has led to a heartbreaking sight in the plantations, where ripe banana bunches are left to rot on the ground, creating foul odors and serving as a stark reminder of their hard work going to waste.

Farmer Rammohan Reddy from Lingala expressed the collective frustration, noting that while this year saw high yields and good prices just weeks ago, farmers are now trapped in a vicious cycle of repeated losses first from natural calamities and now from a merciless market. The price crash is a testament to the unpredictable nature of agricultural markets, leaving farmers with little recourse as their hard work and investments yield only disappointment.