Kerala - Kochi
Putting banana stem to better use

The stem of the banana plant is usually thrown away once the plantain is harvested. The stem, though highly edible and nutritious, forms a major waste material in large-scale banana plantations. And for the large-scale farmers, the disposal of these stems is a real problem.

Extracting good quality fibre from these stems is gaining popularity in Kerala.

The fibre from the banana stems (pseudo stems, actually), are as strong as any other plant yarn. Many units, engaged in extracting banana fibre for making a wide range of products, already exist in different parts of the State.

The Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council Kerala has already established a couple of women's self help units for making banana fibre products.

Now, Eco Green, a Pollachi-based group, has started setting up training centres in banana stem fibre making in Kerala.

The group has developed a machine for easy extraction of fibre with a higher production rate, according to its project director S.K. Babu.

The group has already set up training centres in Maharashtra and Goa. They have now started a training centre at Palakkad and plan to begin another one in Edappally, Kochi.

Each machine can handle 25 kg of stem per day. The machine would consume eight units of electricity per day. A wide range of products including bags, baskets, wall hangings and artificial flowers can be made with banana fibre.

The group is also involved in developing technology for making eco-friendly plates from areca nut sheaths. They are mainly targeting women self-help groups, farmers and small entrepreneurs in the rural areas.
Renu Ramanath
(The Hindu - May 10, 2006)