In a remarkable demonstration of grassroots innovation, an Odisha couple has grown a zero-waste enterprise to ₹1 crore annual turnover by converting what was once agricultural waste banana stems and pseudostems into a wide range of eco-friendly products, from fibres and handicrafts to organic fertilisers and food items.
The Jayadev Banana Farmers and Artisans Association, founded by Anusuya and Kasinath Jena, now processes hundreds of tonnes of banana waste monthly, turning it into livelihood opportunities for over 1,000 farmers across several states while reducing environmental pollution from waste burning.
Officials and sustainability experts have described such initiatives as part of a broader shift in rural India towards circular economies that benefit communities, the environment and local markets. What started as an idea to solve an everyday problem is now gaining traction across India and beyond, showing how sustainable innovation at the grassroots level can build prosperity and protect the planet.
How Farm Residue Became Revenue
Banana cultivation generates vast amounts of biomass after harvest particularly the sturdy pseudostems, which are typically discarded or burned due to a lack of reuse pathways. Recognising this challenge, Anusuya (46) and Kasinath (52) Jena established the Jayadev Banana Farmers and Artisans Association in Odisha’s Khordha district in 2021 to tackle both farm waste disposal and rural incomes.
Their model is straightforward yet impactful: tractors and collection vehicles gather banana waste directly from farms, allowing growers to avoid the time and cost of clearing fields. Farmers receive nominal payments about ₹80 per plant in some cases translating to an additional ₹7,000 to ₹10,000 per farmer annually, on top of regular agricultural earnings.
At the Association’s processing facility, waste is transformed into over 100 products, ranging from banana stem pickles and juices to fibres, ropes, mats, coasters and handicrafts. Leftover pulp is converted into vermicompost and biochar, enhancing soil health and closing the waste loop. The products are marketed across Odisha, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and online, catering to both eco-conscious consumers and mainstream buyers.
“One upside of this project is that the fields are left clean without burning, which otherwise contributes to air pollution and soil degradation,” said Kasinath, emphasizing the environmental and economic benefits of the zero-waste approach. The venture now processes roughly 300 tonnes of banana waste every month and plans to expand its farmer base to 3,000 by 2030.
Banana Waste Upcycling Across India
The Odisha couple’s efforts are part of a wider pattern of innovation across India and beyond. In Tripura’s West district, the government’s Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) recently inaugurated a common facility centre that enables farmers to bring banana pseudostems and obtain value-added fibre, yarn, biodegradable paper, liquid fertiliser and vermicompost. Officials highlighted the facility as a “waste-to-wealth” initiative that will provide sustainable income while supporting 25,000 registered organic farmers in the northeast.
Across states, entrepreneurs are also tapping banana waste for handicrafts and rural employment for example, Kavin Eco Green in southern India has turned banana fibres into eco-friendly baskets, décor items and gifts, while creating jobs for local women artisans.
In Andhra Pradesh, a duo launched Musa Fibral, the state’s first banana fibre unit, producing over two dozen biodegradable products and training more than 60 rural women in craftwork from banana waste.
Elsewhere, Taruwar Agro, a Bihar-based zero-waste startup, reports a ₹50 lakh turnover by converting banana stems into fibres, vermicompost, natural fertilisers and even snacks selling products domestically and exporting to markets in Europe, Japan and the Gulf.
These innovations resonate with global trends, such as entrepreneurs in Taiwan using banana plants for sustainable textiles, showing the potential of a banana bio-economy that stretches from Asia to Africa.
Voices from the Ground and Officials
Farmers engaged in these projects often speak of tangible benefits. “Earlier, banana waste was a headache I had to pay labour to clear it,” said Nabakishore Mohanty of Balipatna village. “Now I earn extra by selling the waste, and the land is ready for new crops faster.”
Officials involved in initiatives like the Tripura centre emphasise community participation and sustainability. Angshuman Dey, Joint Secretary at DoNER, said that the facility would offer additional livelihoods by converting waste into high-value fibres and organic products, while also supporting the growing demand for organic farming inputs.
Experts point out that banana fibres have applications beyond handicrafts from textiles and ropes to biodegradable packaging and even medical materials like eco-friendly wound dressings developed by researchers using banana fibres combined with biopolymers, demonstrating the untapped scientific and commercial potential of this biomass resource.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This story exemplifies the kind of innovation that emerges when purpose meets problem-solving where rural communities themselves redefine waste as an opportunity for prosperity, dignity and sustainability. In a time when environmental degradation and rural distress often dominate the discourse, such initiatives remind us that solutions are often rooted in lived experience rather than boardroom theory.
Turning farm residues into livelihoods aligns with The Logical Indian’s commitment to empathy, community empowerment, environmental responsibility and inclusive growth. These efforts are not just about economics; they affirm that every farmer, artisan and village entrepreneur has a role in shaping a greener, fairer future.
