Amid challenges in banana farming, a couple from Maharashtra transforms their produce into value-added products, creating a thriving business model that inspires farmers nationwide.
Turning Challenges into Opportunities: A Farmer’s Innovation
In Jalgaon, Maharashtra, often called the “Banana City of India,” farmers face an uphill battle with profitability despite producing 3.4 million tonnes of bananas annually. While the district accounts for 70% of Maharashtra’s banana production and over 11% of India’s total output, farmers often find themselves grappling with low market prices, fluctuating demand, and the perishability of bananas.
One such farmer, 72-year-old Ashok Gade, decided to address these challenges head-on. Instead of succumbing to market volatility, he and his wife Kusum turned to innovation, creating a range of value-added banana products. Their most notable invention—banana biscuits—has earned them a patent from the Central Government and annual revenues of ₹50 lakh.
The Struggles of Banana Farming in Jalgaon
Ashok, who hails from an agricultural family in Yawal taluka, highlights the difficulties of banana cultivation. “It costs us about ₹150 to produce one jhaad (a bunch weighing roughly 15 kg), but we earn just ₹1,000 for a quintal (100 kg). Often, we have sold bananas at ₹1.25 per kg. The low prices are due to oversupply in the market,” he explains.
Bananas’ short shelf life exacerbates the issue. Farmers are forced to sell their produce immediately to avoid spoilage, often at throwaway prices. “If the bananas start ripening, we have no choice but to sell them at a loss or watch them rot,” says Ashok.
Faced with these challenges, Ashok quit selling raw bananas and ventured into processing, transforming his produce into products with longer shelf lives and higher profitability.
From Law to Farming: A Journey of Adaptation
Ashok’s path to innovation was shaped by circumstance. After earning an LLB and practicing law for five years, he left his legal career in 1990 to take over his family farm following his father’s death. Managing 12.5 acres of land, he began experimenting with processing bananas into value-added products, starting with items like banana flour, jam, and laddus.
Through trial and error, Ashok and Kusum developed banana biscuits using a unique blend of banana, ghee, and sugar. “We did not learn this technique from anywhere. It was purely experimental,” he says, carefully guarding the secret recipe that has become their intellectual property.
In April 2023, the couple received a patent for their banana biscuits, a milestone that propelled their business forward. “The patent ensures our innovation is protected and gives us exclusive rights to manufacture the product,” Ashok says.
Scaling Success with Value-Added Products
Ashok and Kusum established a manufacturing unit, Sankalp Enterprises, spanning 1,000 square feet with an investment of ₹30-40 lakh. Equipped with machinery sourced from Indore and Kolhapur, the facility has enabled them to meet the growing demand for their banana biscuits. The couple now produces between 200 and 350 kg of biscuits weekly, selling them for ₹400-₹500 per kg in wholesale and retail markets, respectively.
Their biscuits, available through online platforms like Facebook and at exhibitions, have gained popularity in Maharashtra and states like West Bengal, Odisha, Karnataka, and Delhi. “The patent has not only increased demand but also allowed us to expand our reach,” Ashok notes.
The health benefits of their biscuits, made without maida (refined wheat flour), have also attracted health-conscious consumers. “These biscuits are rich in calcium and make a great snack for my kids. They’re not just healthy but also delicious,” says regular customer Nilimi Divakar.
Collaborating with Farmers and Expanding Horizons
To keep up with rising demand, Ashok has partnered with 50 other banana farmers in his village, creating a sustainable ecosystem that benefits the local farming community. “Collaborating with other farmers helps us fulfill orders while ensuring they also profit from value addition,” he says.
The couple’s innovation has demonstrated how value-added products can uplift farmers struggling with low profits. By processing bananas instead of selling them raw, they have maximized returns and minimized losses due to spoilage.
Ashok believes their patented banana biscuits hold potential for international markets. “This patent gives us the confidence to expand beyond India. We’re exploring opportunities to export our products,” he says with optimism.
Inspiring a New Wave of Agricultural Innovation
Ashok and Kusum’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of innovation in agriculture. By addressing the challenges of banana farming with creativity and resilience, they have turned a struggling venture into a thriving business. Their success story not only provides a blueprint for other farmers but also highlights the importance of intellectual property in protecting unique agricultural innovations.
“We started this journey to make banana farming profitable. Today, we’re proud to see the impact it has had on our lives and the lives of other farmers,” Ashok concludes with a smile.
Ashok and Kusum’s story exemplifies the potential of value-added farming to revolutionize traditional agriculture, offering hope and inspiration to countless farmers across India.