Janakpur imports bananas worth Rs 40 million for Chhath

DHANUSHA: Bananas worth Rs 40 million have been imported from India to Janakpurdham, the capital of Madhes Province, alone for the Chhath festival.

Bananas are a must-have fruit for Chhath celebrations. Those observing the Chhath fasting make an offering of an entire bunch of bananas to the Sun god.

Since the demand for bananas is high during Chhath and the local supply is not sufficient to meet this demand,  bananas are imported for the festival every year, said Bishweshwar Yadav, president of the Janakpur Fruits and Vegetables Traders’ Committee. Although the soil in the Tarai-Madhes region of Nepal is suitable for banana cultivation, local production is insufficient to meet the growing demand each year, he added.

“Last year, bananas worth Rs 17.5 million were imported for Chhath celebrations. This year, nearly 70 truckloads of bananas have entered the provincial capital,” he said.

Gopal and Bansibhog varieties of bananas have been brought to Janakpur from Bhardaha, Bhantabari, and Inaruwa of Nepal, while the Malbhog, Mirichman, Chini Champa varieties of bananas have been imported from Assam, Guwahati, West Bangal, and Bihar states of India, according to Bhuwaneshwar Purbe, the secretary of the Chhath Puja Organizing Committee.

He said that the price of bananas has increased by 25% this year.

“The demand for bananas has been growing as the number of people observing the Chhath festival increases every year. This year, 15 to 20 more truckloads of bananas have been imported to meet the demand,” he added.

Yadav said there are some 1,200 bunches of bananas that can be loaded in a truck. A bunch of bananas costs anywhere between Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 in the market.