CHITWAN, Oct 4: The Chitwan Banana Growers' Association has demanded that the government stop the import of Indian bananas. The association said in a statement that the Nepali farmers are at a loss due to the import of Indian bananas.
Stating that it is unfortunate that bananas are imported legally and illegally from India, the association said that priority should be given to bananas produced in Nepal. In a statement issued by the association's president Madhav Prasad Ghimire, it is mentioned that it is unfortunate that the bananas produced by farmers in different districts including Chitwan are left in the fields while foreign bananas are occupying the market.
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Accusing the wholesalers, retailers and some big fruit traders in the country of trying to control the market, the statement said, “They are trying to kill Nepali farmers by buying their product at the lowest possible rates. To stop this, we demand an immediate ban on the import of Indian bananas.”
Similarly, the association has requested the authorities concerned to check the toxicity of Indian bananas at the check post of Nepal, increase the customs duty on imported bananas as well as increase the production and market management of Nepali bananas.
In the statement, it is also mentioned that if the import of Indian bananas is not stopped, all the banana farmers will be forced to launch an agitation. Currently, 712 commercial farmers are cultivating bananas in Chitwan. Bananas are being cultivated in 3,050 bighas of land in the district.
