For years, Trichy has been supplying Nendran, the favourite banana variety of Keralites, to wholesale dealers in that state who in turn have even been exporting it to countries in the Gulf. Now, a memorandum of understanding between ICAR - National Research Centre for Banana (NRCB), Trichy and Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) will see the banana being exported to Dubai through sea. It was on April 20 that the ICAR - NRC Banana, Trichy and APEDA entered into the MoU for exporting Nendran banana to Dubai in partnership with Fair Exports India Ltd, through the Kochi sea port. This is expected to give an impetus to banana farmers in Trichy who have been selling Nendran to the wholesale dealers in Kerala. The quantity of the export has been meagre through flights from Trichy due to a lot of restrictions. Hence, the export of banana by sea is expected to go up thanks to the big demand in the gulf countries. The APEDA would provide financial support to the project. Nendran variety was being exported at 800 to 900 dirham per kilogram when it was sent by air. Once the export of banana through sea becomes successful, it can be sold for 400 to 500 dirham per kilogram. "When the rate is reduced, the accessibility will be more. So, more quantity can be shipped," NRCB director S Uma told TOI on Thursday. All the export company required was technical support from the scientists in NRCB to preserve the banana from the time it was harvested till it was supplied to the importers in Dubai. "Our scientists will help them with expertise to produce quality bananas as well as preserve, process and ship them. Our scientists would visit Dubai during the first shipping to give technical support," said director Uma. The first consignment of 10 to 20 tonnes is expected to leave for Dubai in July from Kochi port. The MoU for export of banana through sea has been welcomed by farmers. However, they expect institutes like NRCB to keep such schemes alive irrespective of the change of government at the Centre. "The MoU had come into effect nearly 15 years ago but was dropped due to change of government at the Centre. This MoU would encourage the farmers here. NRCB can also export the Poovan variety," said the president of Cauvery irrigation farmers' welfare association (Tamil Nadu) Mahadanapuram V Rajaram.