TIRUCHI
The Cauvery Irrigation Farmers’ Welfare Association has called upon the State and Central governments to develop Tiruchi as banana export cluster at the earliest.
In a statement issued here, Mahadhanapuram V. Rajaram, president of the association, said that the Union government was said to have identified 50 districts across the country that would be developed as exports’ clusters for various agriculture produces in consultation with the respective States.
The plan was to help boost exports, increase farmers’ income and reduce post-harvest losses.
While welcoming the move, Mr. Rajaram said Tiruchi was said to have been identified along with Kadappa and Anantpur districts in Andhra Pradesh to be developed as banana export cluster. The State government should utilise the opportunity.
“Tiruchi is a major banana-growing belt. The National Research Centre for Banana, an ICAR institution, is also located here. The Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology is situated in the neighbouring district of Thanjavur. A banana farmers’ producers company has also been formed in Thottiyam in Tiruchi. Hence, Tiruchi will be the ideal location to be developed as an export cluster,” he said.
