Two-day Mysuru festival highlights rare banana varieties and farming diversity

More than 200 rare, indigenous and exotic banana varieties took center stage at a two-day festival in Mysuru that concluded on Sunday. The event drew farmers, researchers, conservationists and visitors to celebrate plant diversity and traditional farming methods. Sahaja Samrudha organized the festival in partnership with the Department of Horticulture, Mysuru, ICAR-JSS Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Suttur, Karnataka State Agricultural Produce Processing and Export Corporation Limited, and Abhay Naturals. CSIR-CFTRI Director Giridhar Parvatham inaugurated the event on Saturday. Farmers from across the region displayed unique collections. Daya Prasad D.S. from Sullia taluk in Dakshina Kannada district brought about 100 varieties for display, having conserved over 400 types in total on his Vanasiri Farm. Ravishankar from Ponnampet in Kodagu showcased rare varieties for display and sale, including the sweet, tender Finger Banana. Prasad Rama Hegade from Sirsi, who holds a National Plant Genome Saviour Farmer Recognition, displayed rare types and planting materials, such as a red banana with red pigmentation across different plant parts. Traditional favorites like Nanjangud Rasabale, Nendran, Elakki Bale, Kamalapur Red Banana, Karpuravalli, Poovan, Chandra Bale, Madarangi, Kallu Bale, Nati Bale, Boodu Bale, Sugandhi, Sakkare Bale, Huli Bale and Chukke Bale were featured. Unusual types including Zanzibar Giant, 1000 Fingers, Java Blue, Red King, Namaste Bale, Kadu Bale, Sahasra Bale and Multicoloured Banana also drew crowds. Sunday's activities included a drawing competition for children and a banana-based cooking competition.

Context

Festivals focused on indigenous crops help raise public awareness about agricultural biodiversity and support local farmers who preserve rare plant strains. Events like this connect rural cultivators directly with researchers and consumers to encourage the continued cultivation of traditional food varieties.