Odisha-based Anusuya and Kasinath Jena founded the ‘Jayadev Banana Farmers and Artisans Association’ to upcycle post-harvest banana waste into sustainable products.

The association transforms banana waste into a variety of products, such as banana stem pickles, papads, juice, ropes, mats, and coasters.

Following a zero-waste model, their facility repurposes residual waste into vermicompost and biochar, enhancing sustainability.

The initiative provides dual benefits for 1,000 farmers: clearing fields for new crops at no cost, and generating additional income from waste.

Farmers save on labour costs and earn extra income ranging from Rs 7,000 to Rs 10,000 for their banana waste contributions.

“I earn Rs 80 for each plant I sell. Altogether, I make Rs 40,000 annually just by selling what used to be waste for me,” shares farmer Anil Kumar Mallick, who grows around 500 banana plants on his two-acre plantation.

The association operates a straightforward model: waste collection vehicles routinely visit banana farms to gather waste, which is then processed at the Common Facility Centre.

Currently, the association processes approximately 300 tonnes of banana waste each month, with markets established in Odisha, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh, selling products both offline and online.

Alongside economic returns, the initiative cleans agricultural fields, contributes to a cleaner environment by eliminating waste burning, and reduces potential soil contamination and air pollution.

The association, operated selflessly by the couple, employs around 40 people for processing work.

“This is an association of farmers. We don’t take any share of the earnings. I sustain myself through my consultancy work,” Kasinath says. “This is my way of contributing to the betterment of society and supporting my farmer brothers.”