Golden Fiber In The Garden Volunteers of Agro Research Committee (ARC)
Transcript of Golden Fiber In The Garden Volunteers of Agro Research Committee (ARC)
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