‘Vazhagramam’ digging in to secure country’s banana heritage

KOCHI: In this age of rapid urbanisation — with its penchant for change and a shift from the past — it takes a village to nurture and protect a prized heritage.

Picture a village built on the passion of nearly 17,000 enthusiasts of the banana and its starchier cousin, the plantain. Their collective love for the humble fruits has blossomed into a living library, boasting hundreds of varieties – a genetic trove that even university research wings would find hard to match. Founded by the charismatic ‘Vazha Chettan’ (Banana Brother), this lush community, which exists solely in the digital space, is on a mission is to cultivate a banana revolution in Kerala.

Vinod S of Parassala, Thiruvananthapuram, began ‘Vazhagramam’ several years ago. The Facebook group now has members worldwide, with a strong core in Kerala. It has ignited a fervent passion for banana cultivation, emphasising the crucial need to conserve local varieties prized for their therapeutic and unique properties.