Banana Picking / Packing
Travel to the Land Down Under and Discover How to Earn Money by Picking Bananas
Quick fact about bananas – it is actually an herb and not a tree but, of course, we commonly call it a “banana tree.” It is in fact a tall herb which can grow to about 15 meters. There are about 1000 varieties of banana all over the world.
In Australia, ninety percent of the bananas are grown in Queensland, specifically between Cardwell, which is located in the South and Babinda, located in the North. Bananas are also grown in other region like New South Wales.
Growing bananas are not that simple. A plantation needs to have good irrigation and must be safe for the plants to survive any weather condition. Proper planning is needed to make sure that plants are spaced properly and that the plantation is using good soil.
From the time farmers plant the banana tree, or should I say herb, it will take twelve months to have the first bunch of fruit to be harvested. The next batch will come after eight to ten months.
If you want to earn extra money to cover travel expense, picking or harvesting bananas is a good way to do it, but you need to keep in mind that it is not an easy job. It is an advantage if you are physically fit so that you can withstand the physical demands of the job.
Since picking bananas is a demanding job, you are not going to work alone. You are going to be a part of a crew with at least four members. Harvesting bananas requires some machineries as well – a tractor with a specially- made trailer for harvesting bananas. Using the trailer, the crew will look for bananas that are ready for harvest. The trailer is padded to give the bananas the added protection against markings and bruising that it may get after harvesting.
Again, harvesting bananas is not an easy task and is certainly not a one-man job, it is essentially a two-man job. The first member of the crew will pull the bunch of banana toward his shoulder and will let it rest on his shoulder. The second member will then use a machete to cut the stem.
It is a challenging process since care is needed while harvesting bananas and considering the fact that each bunch weighs around thirty five to fifty kilograms, harvesting it is no easy feat.
After cutting the stem of each bunch, it is necessary to chop-off the stem of the parent plant to prepare for the next harvest, which is probably happening in the next 8-12 months.
Banana harvesting season in Australia occurs all throughout the year. It is a tough work but it is certainly dependable. It is advisable to wear old clothes, old but sturdy shoes, rubber boots for wet season, hat, rubber gloves and of course, sunscreen. An insect repellent may also come in handy. Keep yourself hydrated by making sure that you bring at least three litters of water every day.
