Jalgaon: Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, announced the approval of a ₹200-crore Banana Cluster in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, marking a significant push toward strengthening agricultural infrastructure and enhancing farmers’ income.
The Banana Cluster project is expected to transform the horticulture ecosystem in the region while benefiting banana cultivators directly.
During his interaction with farmers in Jalgaon, often referred to as the ‘Golden City’ and ‘Banana City’ of the Khandesh region, the Minister extended greetings on Gudi Padwa and highlighted the importance of the Banana Cluster in reinforcing India’s horticulture sector.
He reiterated the Central Government’s commitment to improving farmers’ livelihoods and ensuring sustainable agricultural growth.
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Banana Cluster to Strengthen Infrastructure and Exports
The newly approved Banana Cluster in Jalgaon will be developed at a cost of ₹200 crore and will include a wide range of modern agricultural and post-harvest facilities.
These include Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), mechanisation, bio-control measures, fruit covering, and pre-cooling infrastructure. The Banana Cluster will also support cold storage units, ripening chambers, refrigerated transportation, processing units, and export-oriented infrastructure.
Subsidies for these facilities under the Banana Cluster will be provided through schemes such as the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) and the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), ensuring that farmers receive direct financial support to upgrade their practices and infrastructure.
Addressing Price Disparity Through Banana Cluster Initiatives
Highlighting a key concern, Shivraj Singh Chouhan pointed to the significant gap between the prices farmers receive and the rates consumers pay in urban markets.
He noted that farmers are often forced to sell produce like tomatoes at very low prices, while the same commodities are sold at much higher rates in cities.
The government aims to address this imbalance through mechanisms linked to initiatives like the Banana Cluster, ensuring that farmers receive fair value for their produce.
Both Central and state governments will collaborate to design systems that reduce price disparities and strengthen market linkages.
Alternative Pricing Model Under Consideration
Chouhan also explained that crops like bananas cannot be effectively procured under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) framework due to their perishable nature. In this context, the government is exploring an alternative model where, if market prices fall significantly, farmers will be compensated for the difference between production costs or a predetermined model price and the market price.
He added that similar models have already been tested for crops such as chillies and mangoes, and further refinements are underway under the PM-AASHA (Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan). The Banana Cluster initiative is expected to complement such policy innovations.
Push for Natural Farming Alongside Banana Cluster Development
Raising concerns about excessive use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, Shri Chouhan cautioned that such practices are harming soil health. He highlighted declining organic carbon levels, destruction of beneficial insects, and reduced soil fertility.
He urged farmers to adopt natural farming practices and begin with small-scale experiments. According to him, when implemented correctly, natural farming does not reduce productivity but instead enhances soil capacity and long-term agricultural sustainability. The Banana Cluster is expected to support such sustainable practices through improved infrastructure and awareness.
Global Branding for Jalgaon Bananas
The Union Minister also stated that a comprehensive roadmap will be developed to address farmers’ concerns and suggestions.
Emphasising the need to give Jalgaon bananas a stronger global identity, he assured that all necessary steps will be taken to enhance exports and branding under the Banana Cluster framework.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment, Shivraj Singh Chouhan said efforts will continue to make farmers self-reliant and prosperous while strengthening India’s agricultural sector.
