Banana Farmers Urge Government To Curb Price Manipulation In Retail Market

The farmers in Kailali and Kanchanpur districts have urged the government for market monitoring, citing an unusual rise in product prices in the retail market.

At a press conference organized today by the Banana Producers’ Association, Kailali, and the Banana Producers and Business Association, Kailali, they called for stronger market monitoring, stating that they are selling bananas at Rs 60 to Rs 65 per dozen, while consumers are being charged higher prices in the local market.

The associations also thanked the federal government for imposing a ban on the import of bananas and banana saplings from India.

Issuing a press statement after the media briefing, the associations expressed confidence that the government’s decision would contribute to banana production, safeguard farmers’ interests and strengthen food security.

They said regular market monitoring would help control black marketeering, artificial shortages and unusual price hikes, ultimately benefiting both farmers and consumers.

The associations also released a price list for raw bananas. According to the announcement, 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 upcoming spring season in the two districts will be determined based on production levels, market conditions and the demand-supply status.

Banana farming is carried out on around 2,000 hectares of land in Sudurpaschim Province, producing nearly 72,000 metric tonnes of bananas annually.