Save Soil Movement, launched by Sadhguru to address the looming soil degradation, will organise a grand Banana Festival cum workshop titled “Banana that Sustains Life” on November 24th at SCAD College of Engineering & Technology , Tirunelveli.
A press conference to announce the event was held today (November 21) at the Tirunelveli Press Club. Swami Srimukha, Project Coordinator of the Save Soil Movement, addressed the media alongside pioneering banana farmers.
Swami Srimukha emphasized the critical role of food in maintaining health and expressed concern over the widespread use of chemicals in farming. He remarked, “The food we consume plays a crucial role in our health. Unfortunately, our eating habits often rely on chemically grown produce. When we consume food treated with toxic chemicals, it not only affects our health but also leads to various diseases.”
“This workshop seeks to raise awareness about these issues and provide farmers with the technical knowledge needed to grow chemical-free produce. By adopting natural farming methods, farmers can not only safeguard public health but also significantly increase their incomes,” he added.
Banana farming is a primary agricultural activity in Tirunelveli and its surrounding regions. However, many farmers limit their focus to the cultivation of bananas alone, overlooking the untapped potential of value addition. This workshop will guide farmers on utilizing all parts of the banana plant, enabling even small-scale farmers to explore entrepreneurial opportunities.
The workshop will bring together scientists, pioneering farmers, and industry experts. Thiru. I. R. Selvarajan, Director of the National Banana Research Centre, will deliver the keynote address. Smt. Siyamala Gunasekaran, a leading farmer, will share insights on adding value to every part of the banana plant, while Thiru. Srinivasan, a farmer earning ₹20 lakhs annually from one acre of banana leaves, will speak on the profitability of innovative practices.
Thiru. Raja, founder of Jothi Banana Fiber Unit, will discuss the opportunities for creating banana fiber handicrafts and generating substantial revenue through exports. Senior scientists from the Trichy National Banana Research Centre (ICAR-NRCB), including C. Karpagam, P. Sureshkumar, and K. J. Jayabhaskaran, will also share their expertise.
The event will feature the display and sale of more than 50 value-added banana products, including banana ice cream and banana fiber handicrafts. Natural farming products, such as small grain flours, will also be available.
Three outstanding farmers and entrepreneurs excelling in banana farming and value addition will be honoured with the “Soil Save – Best Banana Farmer” awards during the workshop.
This workshop is a significant step towards equipping banana farmers with the skills to transition to chemical-free organic farming while boosting their incomes through innovative practices. Those interested in participating can pre-register by contacting 83000 93777.