Lakhimpur Kheri Farmers Prosper with Banana Cultivation

• Farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri, UP, are increasingly shifting to banana cultivation alongside sugarcane, driven by its cash crop nature and delays in sugarcane payments.
• The horticulture department provides grants to promote banana farming, with fruit ready for harvest 14 months after planting.
• Lakhimpur Kheri bananas are gaining recognition, even being exported to Australia, and are often sold directly from the farm.
• Despite high market demand, fluctuating prices can impact profits, though farmers reported no losses this year.

Why It Matters: Lakhimpur Kheri farmers are diversifying to banana cultivation for better cash income.