DFV to start organic banana cultivation in 80 acres on trial basis.
After emerging as the first Indian farming company to export bananas from India, Navsari-based Desai fruits and vegetables (DFV) now plans to bank on 'organic bananas'.
Considering the huge demand for organic bananas in the overseas countries, DFV has set the ball rolling to grow organic bananas of export quality in Gujarat.
As part of the pilot project, the company has already identified 80 acres of land for carrying out the field trials.
DFV has entered into contract farming agreements with farmers to get 80 acres of land. The company will soon kick off the trials.
"The export potential for bananas grown without using any fertilisers and pesticides is huge in the global markets. We are planning to grow organic bananas for the first time," said Ajit Desai, chairman of Desai Fruits and Vegetables.
After the trial runs, the company will cultivate organic bananas in a big way. The company is mainly into contract farming business and it brought 240 acres of land under banana crop in FY07, which increased to 720 acres in 2007-08.
With thousands of farmers making a beeline to be a part of DFV, the company plans to increase the acreage to 6,500 acres in 2008-09.
