Golden Fiber In The GardenVolunteers of Agro Research Volunteers of Agro Research

Committee (ARC)Committee (ARC)

Our project

To study importance of Banana To study importance of Banana Plant in our economy andPlant in our economy and

Suggest ways to maximise gains Suggest ways to maximise gains from banana plantfrom banana plant

Our research question

How can we make optimum use of How can we make optimum use of banana plant in the region?banana plant in the region?

Our journey

We visited Banana estate and observed We visited Banana estate and observed how it is cultivated.how it is cultivated.

Facts about Banana Plant

Banana tree can be 3m - 8m highBanana tree can be 3m - 8m high Weight around 50kg - 300kgWeight around 50kg - 300kg It will live for 8 - 15 monthsIt will live for 8 - 15 months Banana plants are the largest plants Banana plants are the largest plants

on earth without a woody stem as on earth without a woody stem as lilies, orchids and palms lilies, orchids and palms

- Farmers of Banana - Farmers of Banana EstateEstate

Our journey

We conducted internet research on We conducted internet research on strategies to maximise returns from strategies to maximise returns from banana plantbanana plant We studied different parts of Banana We studied different parts of Banana

plant and its utilityplant and its utility

Banana Stem

Average weight is around 125kg – 150kgAverage weight is around 125kg – 150kg Dry weight is 20% of the natural weightDry weight is 20% of the natural weight Whole stem is made of natural fibers Whole stem is made of natural fibers Some times fibers are longer, more than Some times fibers are longer, more than

7m7m

We searched for many ways to use the We searched for many ways to use the stem optimallystem optimally

Fibers from the Stem

Step OneStep One Mature stems are cut and the skin is Mature stems are cut and the skin is

peeled off.peeled off.

More inner layers give more smoother fibers More inner layers give more smoother fibers

Step Two

The fiber is bundled and cooked for The fiber is bundled and cooked for several hours in alkaline and with the several hours in alkaline and with the lid on.lid on.

After boiling, the fiber is washed to After boiling, the fiber is washed to remove the alkali. remove the alkali.

Step Three

Separate the fibers using light wood Separate the fibers using light wood and fingersand fingers

Separated fibers twisted up on a Separated fibers twisted up on a spinning wheel spinning wheel

Step Four

Fibers can be coloured and let them Fibers can be coloured and let them dry for few daysdry for few days

After that it could be use as normal After that it could be use as normal fibers like cotton, wool or Jute.fibers like cotton, wool or Jute.

With the Banana fibers, different With the Banana fibers, different kind of materials can be made kind of materials can be made specially for handlooms.specially for handlooms.

Different Banana Cloths

                                              

    

                                            

      

                                            

      

                                            

      

Other things that can be done

Brushes

Paper

Stem can be turned in to PULP to make paper

The Banana stem can be The Banana stem can be turned in to pulp and pulp turned in to pulp and pulp can be used directly for bags can be used directly for bags and boxes or further and boxes or further delignifed, during bleaching, delignifed, during bleaching, to produce white pulp for to produce white pulp for printing and writing printing and writing

With the PULP To make To make 11kg of pulp need 125 kg kg of pulp need 125 kg

of natural banana stem.of natural banana stem. With With 11 kg of banana pulp, 2400 A4 kg of banana pulp, 2400 A4

papers can be producepapers can be produce

That means one Banana plant can produce 5 bundles of A4

sheets

Promote Banana Cultivation in Sri Lanka

Banana cultivation should be given the high priority amongst the other food crops in Sri Lanka.

Awareness to be created among farmers on uses of parts of the banana plant.

Promote Banana Cultivation in Sri Lanka

Farmers should be encouraged to grow banana crop for its high economic gains.

Advantages of growing banana should be informed to farmers like less water and input materials required to grow Banana compare to growing rice.

The profit will grow four times for the farmers if they switch over to Banana plantation.

Reference

http://www.kougei.or.jp/english/crafthttp://www.kougei.or.jp/english/crafts/0130/f0130.htmls/0130/f0130.html

http://www.iita.org http://www.iita.org