Banana Farming:Monsoon Protection

Rain season is great hope for farmers.The strength of  the Monsoon  determines the agricultural economy and its success in India.So majority of farmers in India welcome a good Monsoon.But there are some farming sectors where Monsoon possess great threat.Banana farming is one of such sector where the heavy wind accompanied by Monsoon causes heavy damage.Yearly Indian banana farmers loss crores because of heavy wind.During monsoon season,the attack of Insects also increases.Weeds also cause issues.So here we are going to discuss how to protect our Banana plants during Raining season

Protection Against wind

This is the major issue faced by Banana farmers during Monsoon.There are different methods to protect your Banana plants from Wind.

• The location of your farm land is very important.Try to do Banana farming at location where you will get a shield from Monsoon wind.
• Provide strong support to your Banana plants.Each Plant should have its own support and try to interconnect the supports.If the farm land is located in a Heavy wind area,this will not hold for long.In this case you should do combination of all methods.
• Plant Casuarina plants as a Bio-shield in your farm land. Casuarina plants are well known for its ability to Break wind.Its a well known wind breaker.Apart from the revenue you will get from Banana farming,Casuarina will provide additional income to farmers as it is used in preparation of pulps which has great demand in paper industry.So the farmer will get double benefit from Casuarina. This Bio-shield method is proven in Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu and eastern parts of Kerala.
• Mixed farming is another method to protect Banana Plants from wind.Having different Crops in your farm not only protect you from wind,but also from price fluctuations and plant diseases.
• Use Dwarf Breeds of Banana Plants in your farm.As the height of the plants increases,the chance of damage caused by Wind also increases.  

Protection Against Insects

Insect attack increases during monsoon season.Frequent observation of your plants will help you to identify the attack and take necessary action against them.Use Organic pesticides to reduce Insect attacks.Following mixed farming also help you to reduce Insect attack naturally.If you observe any abnormal Insect attacks on your banana plants,get the help from your nearby government agencies like Krishibhavan or  Krishivigyan Kendra.Their services are free of cost.

Protection Against weeds

During monsoon season,Weeds grow very fast.Do not use chemicals for removing weeds as it pollute your soil and it will act against you in future.Remove the weeds Manually or using weed removing machines.Do it frequently so that it will not affect your plants very badly.

Protection Against Flood

The important step you need to do to protect your banana plants against Flood is that you should provide maximum drainage facility in your farm land.You should open deep trenches between plant rows for drainage.Observe your farm land frequently and remove any water logging in your farm land.

These are some of the issues you will face during monsoon season.By following the steps given above you can reduce the damage caused by Monsoon to your Banana plants.Apart from these ideas,if you have any suggestion you are free to comment below.

Related Posts

• Banana Farming
• Challanges faced by Banana Farmers