Growers in Carnarvon, West Australia, have been making

a steady recovery after a severe cyclone, dubbed Cyclone

Olwyn, destroyed their plantations back in March 2015. Local

bananas will again be available on supermarket shelves in

six weeks’ time.

Twelve months on, Agriculture and Food Minister Ken Baston

visited local growers to assess recovery efforts after galeforce

winds and rain from the cyclone almost wiped out the

local plantations.

“Carnarvon bananas are back in local stores, although in

small quantities. Supplies are expected to return to normal

late April and May,” Mr Baston said.

The Minister met members of the Sweeter Banana Cooperative,

which is owned and operated by 25 farmers on

family-run farms, and Desert Sweet Bananas.

“Some plants could be salvaged but growers have replanted

most of their plantations – a costly process which has taken

longer than anticipated,” he said.

As an interim source of income, Sweeter Banana Cooperative

produced and sold banana bread, enabling them

to retain key staff.

Mr Baston said it had been a challenging time for the

region’s fruit and vegetable growers as they recovered from

the cyclone damage.

“Carnarvon is an important supplier of fruit and vegetables

to the local market and growers’ ongoing recovery efforts

mean consumers can continue to enjoy fresh, locally grown

produce,” he said.

Carnarvon is the State’s biggest banana-producing region,

worth an average of about $10 million over the past three

years, and valued at $12 million in 2014.

Carnarvon’s average annual fruit and vegetable production

is valued at $80 million. The gross value of WA’s agricultural

production rose 0.2 per cent to $11.6 billion in 2014-15.

Source: freshplaza.com