Imphal, December 18 2010: Banana plantation can earn a good income and helps improve living condition by selling banana and its products.

TLB farm at Chanam Sandrok Mamang Leikai in Imphal East district is a living example.

TLB farm is situated at Chanam Sandrok Mamang Leikai, around 15 km away from Imphal on the south east.

Takhellambam Lukhoi, the owner of the farm is planting more than 4000 banana plants in an area of around one acre.

He planted the variety called G-9 supplied by Department of Horticulture.

Now, these plants are beginning to bear fruits.

Apart from developing economic condition of the farmer, the farm can generate employment to other villagers.

Lukhoi said that he had planted the banana plants received from the horticulture department in the month of July last year.

Now, he could earn around Rs.1200 to Rs.1300 on daily basis by selling the bananas.

A bunch of banana is sold for Rs.25 in whole sale.

He is targeting to earn around Rs.10 lakh by selling the bananas from his farm in this season.

When asked how he got the idea of banana plantation, Lukhoi said that he began his farm when he could not find a job and could not bear his family's expenses with vegetables he cultivated in the land inherited from his father.

But when he met a team of the horticulture department, they supplied 4000 G-9 banana saplings which he planted in his farm.

He also planted soyabean, cauliflowers, American pea, Tomatoes, Turmeric, lady fingers, cucumbers, peppers in his farm.

He can earn around Rs.20,000 by selling beans this season.

Horticulture department also supplied him 18 bee boxes from which he can earn extra income from the honey.

He said that he could earn around Rs.15000 from by selling honey in a season.

He further said that he had to engage some youths of the village to nurture the plants and manage the farm.

He gave their wages by taking loans from his friends and repay the loan after harvesting.

He is now thinking of constructing a green house sets and UV films so that he can developed the farm and generate more income.

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