MADURAI: The life of farmers who are cultivating bananas is now in misery due to coronavirus complete lockdown.
With no functions, no hotels, no tiffin centres and no vegetable markets etc, the farmers who used to have brisk business especially are now suffering. The plantain leaves or banana lead which see good demand daily in restaurants and homes have no takers now.
For instance, banana growers in Thiruparakundram area in Madurai have lost heavily in the last 10 days ever since Section 144 and complete lockdown have been announced to restrict people’s movement in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection.
Plantain leaves- fresh banana leaf are spread out in around 2,000 acres in Chinthamani, Saamanatham, Villapuram, Perungudi, Avaniapuram, Valayangudi, Valayapatti, Nilaiyur etc.
“Since the hotels are closed and functions cancelled, there is no demand. Due to restrictions, the farmers did not cut the plantain leaves…..Farmers suffered losses. Their appeal to the Tamil Nadu State government is to give compensation and save the farmers from losses….Banks also should give subsidy and do something for these farmers,” a farmer in Thiruparankundram area has appealed to day- 31st March 2020.
