Rambukkana to revive banana cultivation

by Gamini Warushamana
[email protected]

Rambukkana and bananas are synonymous as the name of the village itself means bunch of bananas and in keeping with it the village was well-known for banana cultivation for a long time.

Today, however, that glorious period is over and farmers are moving away from the cultivation of this nutritious and income earning fruit as the profitability of the venture is low.

The participatory Development Centre (PDC), a non-governmental organisation in Rambukkana is attempting to change the scenario by combining technology, traditional knowledge, and new market interventions to introduce new products together with community participation.

Today they have introduced value added products from almost all parts of the banana tree opening new income sources for the farmers. The PDC opened a new facility on Tuesday to produce paper and boards by using the trunks of the banana tree.

The project was opened by the National Co-coordinator of the UNDP, Sherin Samarasooriya. The Rs. 1.5 million project is funded by the Small Grant Program under the UNDP's Global Environment Facility. Project Manager of the PDC, Ajith Kulatunge explained the paper production process.

The raw material used here are dried banana trunks that are cut into small pieces, around one inch in length. These pieces are boiled for about 12 hours and beaten until a pulp is made. This pulp is used to make paper and boards.

It produces very high quality paper and boards with natural brown. By adding colourings or embossed items one can produce various unique designs of paper and boards that have a highup market demand.

Today we target the local market but these products have a high international demand, Kulatunge said.The project has created a good income source for the farmers. PDC purchases dried banana trunks at Rs. 15 per kg.

The project has provided seven direct employment opportunities. Another 25 direct employment opportunities will be created under the next phase of the project that produces value added products such as greeting and visiting cards.

Today 100 farmer families supply the raw materials to the industry and receive a good income.The PDC set up in 1989 has initiated various programs to promote banana cultivation in the area because this area has all climatic and other conditions conducive for banana cultivation.

It mobilised the farmer community and launched various programs to attract farmers. Rambukkana has one of the largest banana markets in the country. However, the farmers receive a very low price for their products, Kulatunge said.

The PDC has identified around 30 local banana varieties and has conserved 12 endangered banana species. In 2003, the UNDP funded to set up a tissue culture laboratory and today it produces high quality banana plants including the 12 varieties. The PDC will distribute 5,000 banana plants under this project to farmers to restore the banana diversity in the area.

The PDC has successfully introduced various value added banana products such as banana cake and chips. The banana leaf is used to make lunch sheets and ten women members produce them at a commercial level. The PDC has obtained technology from the Industrial Development Board (IDB) to produce banana leaf plates.

The banana tree is like Kapruka and almost all parts of the tree can be used to make something that generates an income. Therefore, banana cultivation will be a profitable venture, Kulatunge said.