Celebrating banana festival in Mysuru to showcase its diversity 

The event will showcase a variety of bananas, value-added products, banana fibre-crafts and banana-based cuisines.

A three-day banana festival will be held in Mysuru to celebrate the rich diversity of native bananas and underline the imperatives of their conservation.

Being organised by Sahaja Samrudha in collaboration with Akshaya Kalpa Organics, the event will be held from November 22to 24 at Nanjaraja Bahadur Choultry.

The event will showcase a variety of bananas, value-added products, banana fibre-crafts and banana-based cuisines.

Krishnaprasad of Sahaja Samrudha said Karnataka is renowned for its banana diversity and is home to unique varieties such as Kamalapura Red Banana, Elakki Baale, Nanjangud Rasabaale, Kallu Baale, Naati Baale, Boodu Baale, Hampi Sugandhi, Sakkare Baale, Hulibaale, and Chukke Baale.

‘’Unfortunately, the arrival of commercial varieties like Robusta and Cavendish has led to the decline of native varieties,” he added.

“The event is being organised to create greater awareness among the public of the varieties and also give a push for their conservation,” said Mr. Krishnaprasad.

The world of bananas is all-encapsulating. Bananas are not only a significant part of the local diet but also contribute to the economy of Karnataka, with many farmers relying on them for their livelihoods, according to the organisers.