Banana farmers in Sangareddy destroy crops as prices crash to Rs 3 per kg

Banana farmers in Sangareddy district face severe losses as prices plunge to ₹3 per kg, far below production costs. Many are destroying crops amid middlemen dominance and poor market support, urging government intervention, cold storage facilities, and compensation for survival

Sangareddy: A steep fall in banana prices has pushed farmers across Sangareddy district into heavy losses, forcing many to destroy their crops even before harvest.

Banana is cultivated in more than 500 acres in the district, largely in Zaheerabad, Kohir and Mogudampally mandals. Farmers usually earn between Rs.8 and Rs.12 per kg for bananas, roughly eight fruit per kg. However, prices have plunged to Rs.3 per kg, leaving growers confused and distressed.

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Despite their low returns, vendors in Zaheerabad, Sangareddy and nearby areas are selling a dozen bananas for Rs.60 to Rs.80, while farmers are unable to get even Rs.10 per dozen. Farmers allege that the involvement of middlemen has wiped out any chance of profit.

Speaking to Telangana Today, banana farmer Ch. Srinivas Reddy of Ramzole in Zaheerabad mandal said he cultivated the fruit on eight acres, investing Rs.80,000 to Rs.1 lakh per acre. A banana crop yields about 20,000 tonnes after 10 to 11 months, with two additional harvests possible every nine months on the same plantations. Prices began to crash just as he managed to sell 40 per cent of his produce in the second week of November, forcing him to clear the remaining crop without harvesting.

Seeking urgent intervention from the Marketing and Horticulture Departments, Srinivas Reddy urged the government to establish cold storage facilities to prevent distress sales and support processing units to add value to their produce. He said the price crash has pushed several farmers into crisis, with many unable to recover even their investment.

Growers have also appealed for an expert team to visit the region, assess their situation and ensure compensation to help them survive the crisis.