Imagine growing food from a discarded banana trunk. Organic farming- uses banana tree trunks for growing veggies even during dry season. Banana stems are known to keep moisture for a long period of time and is known to have a good water retaining capacity.
This unique method is quite viable for farmers, especially in regions with acute water shortage, saving them from the trouble of shelling out vast amounts of money for various irrigation methods. The benefits don?t just stop at the fruit. The eco-friendly tradition of eating food from banana leaves is as ancient as the Indian civilisation and is quite a common sight in Kerala during festive occasions.
But one of the most overlooked parts of the plant is its stem that often goes waste after the culmination of production. While in many parts of India, the tender core of the stem is a part of local cuisines, the utilisation of the banana stem has found little scope in India, which is strange because the country leads the world in banana production.
The banana stem refuse is used as a planter for growing short-root plants; and if adopted, this simple yet ingenious implementation can surely have a positive effect on the agrarian scenario of the country and reduce tonnes of banana plant wastage that occurs on a regular basis.
For proper crop aeration, balanced growth, and avoid clustering, one needs to make sure that the spacing between the seedlings is at least between 30 cm. Mud mixed with cow dung while filling the holes before planting is advisable, to facilitate the good growth of plants.
Because of the stem?s fantastic water retention abilities, one need not irrigate the plants manually as they absorb water from the stem and nutrients from the soil filled in the pits. This property makes the idea even more viable for Indian farmers, especially in regions with acute water shortage; and will save them from the trouble of shelling out vast amounts of money for various irrigation methods. The best part about the banana stems is that it lasts for a really long period of time and when the stems finally decompose, they end up enriching the soil all the more.
Besides, with this mode of cultivation, chances of weed infestation remain relatively lower.
This method need not be limited to only farmers and agricultural institutions. Anyone can try it in their backyard or garden as banana stems are readily available in the markets, and there is no requirement of any form of technical know-how for it. Additionally, space and resource constraints generally associated with urban agriculture can quickly be reduced through banana stems.
Research Links: education.abc.net.au
" />Imagine growing food from a discarded banana trunk. Organic farming- uses banana tree trunks for growing veggies even during dry season. Banana stems are known to keep moisture for a long period of time and is known to have a good water retaining capacity.
This unique method is quite viable for farmers, especially in regions with acute water shortage, saving them from the trouble of shelling out vast amounts of money for various irrigation methods. The benefits don?t just stop at the fruit. The eco-friendly tradition of eating food from banana leaves is as ancient as the Indian civilisation and is quite a common sight in Kerala during festive occasions.
But one of the most overlooked parts of the plant is its stem that often goes waste after the culmination of production. While in many parts of India, the tender core of the stem is a part of local cuisines, the utilisation of the banana stem has found little scope in India, which is strange because the country leads the world in banana production.
The banana stem refuse is used as a planter for growing short-root plants; and if adopted, this simple yet ingenious implementation can surely have a positive effect on the agrarian scenario of the country and reduce tonnes of banana plant wastage that occurs on a regular basis.
For proper crop aeration, balanced growth, and avoid clustering, one needs to make sure that the spacing between the seedlings is at least between 30 cm. Mud mixed with cow dung while filling the holes before planting is advisable, to facilitate the good growth of plants.
Because of the stem?s fantastic water retention abilities, one need not irrigate the plants manually as they absorb water from the stem and nutrients from the soil filled in the pits. This property makes the idea even more viable for Indian farmers, especially in regions with acute water shortage; and will save them from the trouble of shelling out vast amounts of money for various irrigation methods. The best part about the banana stems is that it lasts for a really long period of time and when the stems finally decompose, they end up enriching the soil all the more.
Besides, with this mode of cultivation, chances of weed infestation remain relatively lower.
This method need not be limited to only farmers and agricultural institutions. Anyone can try it in their backyard or garden as banana stems are readily available in the markets, and there is no requirement of any form of technical know-how for it. Additionally, space and resource constraints generally associated with urban agriculture can quickly be reduced through banana stems.
Research Links: education.abc.net.au
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