Notwithstanding the efforts of researchers and government agencies, the slide of Nanjangud rasabale, a variety of banana, into extinction seems to be continuing.
“Nanjangud rasabale is now confined to only around 30 acres in Mysuru district,” said B.M. Shivalingappa, senior Assistant Director of Horticulture, Mysuru.
Farmers in the region prefer the more high-yielding and disease-resistant varieties over Nanjangud rasabale, which is susceptible to soil-borne disease Panama Wilt.
In the 80s, the Nanjangud rasabale, which has secured a Geographic Indication (GI) tag, was grown in around 600 acres of land in the district. Till about a decade ago, it was cultivated in about 100 acres.
“But, ever since the Panama Wilt started affecting the Nanjangud rasabale, farmers began avoiding it. Now it is almost extinct in Devarasanahalli in Nanjangud. It is being grown only in patches in some parts of the district,” Mr. Shivalingappa said.
Even though the government is offering incentives, including a subsidy of Rs. 19,500 for every hectare of crop under the National Horticulture Mission, farmers are wary of taking chances.
“A few farmers have taken up its cultivation in small pieces of land, ranging from 10 guntas to 50 guntas. There is no large-scale cultivation of the crop,” Mr. Shivalingappa said. Similarly, the scientists of University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) have come up with disease-free varieties of crop, but the initiative did not lead to improving the area under cultivation, he said.
The department is now encouraging farmers to avail government subsidy by procuring organically produced banana suckers. Officials of the Horticulture Department are advising farmers to use organic manure and bio-fertilisers to minimise the chance of pest attacks, Mr. Shivalingappa said.
Most farmers find other varieties of bananas like Yalakki and Pachchabale (Cavendish) more remunerative and less risky to cultivate, he said.
While a kilo of Nanjangud rasabale costs around Rs. 50 to Rs. 55, Pachchabale and Yalakki are available for Rs. 10 and Rs. 30 respectively. Bananas are grown in around 7,219 hectares in Mysuru district.
