Scientific banana cultivation opens new income avenues for tribal farmers in Kandhamal

Bhubaneswar, Sep 28 (UNI) Scientific and improved banana cultivation practices are helping tribal farmers in Odisha's Kandhamal district raise productivity, reduce crop losses and generate higher incomes under a Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) initiative. The programme, being implemented in Minia village under Karnada Gram Panchayat of Phulbani block, has so far trained more than 50 tribal families in modern banana cultivation and crop management techniques. Under the initiative, farmers were provided improved banana varieties, including Grand Naine, Champa, Gajabantala and Patkapura, besides essential farm implements to strengthen cultivation activities. The farmers were imparted training on different stages of banana cultivation,…