Atal Incubation Centre (AIC) in Tirupur and Anantapur is likely to collaborate to promote large-scale production of banana-silk clothing.

Recently, a team from AIC-Sri Krishnadevaraya University visited the AIC NIFT-TEA centre, to collaborate in promoting large-scale production of banana-silk clothing and supporting each other in shaping up the product.

Owing to banana fibres having shining quality like that of silk, the banana-silk clothing has been received well in the international market.

With India being the largest banana producer, the experts see that the application could help change the tide among the farmers.

“We so far conceived the banana plantation was meant generally for edible, it should be changed because the banana fibres could be utilised in various clothing. We perceived that the banana cultivation in a 1,000-acre could generate revenue of Rs. 15-16 crore if the fibre is extracted in large-scale and utilised for the clothing,” Chief Executive Officer of AIC-SKU Satish Kumar said.

“It would not be big deal for producing such quantity, and if it worked out, it would not only become a livelihood for the farmers but also produce employment to graduates. The Tirupur apparel cluster can grab the opportunity and it can focus on producing the clothing and market linkage. We look forward to collaborate to promote the large-scale production of banana fibre clothing,” he added.

Both the AICs want to connect farmers with the giants of the apparel industry to accelerate the making of new clothing. AIC-SKU may talk with the banana growers in Andhra Pradesh to work towards the project, and then, the other institution would work with the apparel units here.