Burhanpur in Madhya Pradesh, India, is well known as a major banana-producing district. Farmers here usually clear banana stems and leaves from their fields before planting new crops, for which they hire additional labor. A large amount of banana waste is then dumped here and there. MBA graduate Mehul Shroff realized that good business ideas could be extracted from banana waste.
I wanted to build a sustainable business and help farmers,” Mehul told The Better India. This is a huge possibility. I met the District Magistrate of Burhanpur. When I expressed my idea to start a unique business, he suggested that I think about what I could do in my own district.
After attending a workshop, Keller discussed how fiber can be made from banana stems and how it can be used in textiles, paper, and handicrafts. He spent about two years on his research and decided the business plan.
Banana waste is rich in cellulose and natural fiber. This method is very effective for making fiber and turning it into cloth. Mehul ensures that he understands all aspects of trading, including market risks, challenges, and opportunities.
He also interacted with the farmers of Burhanpur and shared his ideas with them, garnering their support. In 2018, Mehul started his sustainability business, which he named Shroff Industries. He set up a processing unit at Burhanpur and started collecting banana stalks from farmers across the district.
Mehul says that one of the main challenges he faces is finding a market for banana fiber. “Our country is the largest banana producer in the world, but we are yet to explore the maximum potential of the crop. Awareness about this needs to be spread. Mehul is hopeful that its market will be bigger in India in the future.”