COIMBATORE: The use of banana leaves has declined after many eateries and restaurants in Coimbatore district reduced their menu due to the ongoing LPG shortage. This has adversely affected farmers and workers involved in leaf harvesting.Farmers said harvesting activity has dropped by nearly 30% while the price of a bundle of 100 banana leaves has fallen from around Rs 660 to Rs 300.
R Periyasamy, vice-president of the Tamil Nadu Farmers Association, said banana leaves are cultivated on nearly 6,000 acres of land in 10 revenue villages in Thondamuthur union, which accounts for 80% of the district’s total production. After restrictions on plastic use in food industries, the demand for banana leaves had increased significantly. Around 70% of the leaves are supplied to restaurants while 25% are used in marriage halls.He said banana leaves could be harvested every alternate day from 18 to 24 months after planting. This provided a steady income for farmers. However, the LPG shortage linked to the ongoing conflict has forced many eateries to reduce their menu and production, leading to a drop in demand since early March.K Jeyabal, who runs a banana leaf shop in the Poo Market area, said many farmers now supply leaves to traders on a contract basis, ensuring a stable income. He added that the mandi price, which once touched Rs 700 per bundle, dropped to Rs80–Rs120 last week as eateries reduced their operations. However, the mandi prices recovered to around Rs400 during recent auspicious wedding days.He expressed the hope that banana leaf demand and prices would stabilize once hotel operations return to normal.
