Nev Singh and his wife Baljinder have been the smiling faces behind bunches of bananas at Northern Rivers farmers markets for ten years.
Nev says his favourite thing about the markets is the people.
“All the kids get a free banana, the little ones,” he says with his trademark humble smile.
With his farm on Fowlers Lane, Bangalow, Nev says the secret to his farm’s popularity is the farming methods.
“We use very little sprays and we also use natural fertilisers to grow our fruit,” Nev says.
During those misty hinterland mornings at the farm Nev says walking between the rows of banana trees is like walking on a lawn.
“We cut the grass between the bananas, we don’t spray. And we make sure our farm has minimum waste,” he says.
“Bananas are instant energy, healthy for you and no waste – the wrapper is biodegradable.”
As a third generation banana farmer, Nev has learned his knowledge from his father, who learned from his father before him.
He believes the trick to growing bananas is natural fertilisers such as rock phosphates and plenty of water – which the hinterland is happy to deliver.
Neville Singh and Sons Bananas currently grow an astounding nine varieties of banana.
These are the Cavendish; Lady Fingers, Red Dacca, Ducasse, Plantain, Blue Java, Dwarf Cavendish, Dwarf Ladyfinger and the Senorita.
And as numerous customers have attested to, the Byron hinterland bananas taste sweeter and more full of flavour than their Far North Queensland counterparts.
“Our bananas taste better than the Queensland bananas because we grow them slower,” Nev says.
“They really take their time to grow and for the full flavour to get into them – around 15 to 18 months, compared to the Queensland ones which can be grown in 9 to 12 months.
“It’s a big difference and less chemicals – and people tell us they can really taste the difference.”
Nev’s sons Adam and Harnek will be proudly continuing the banana business once Nev hands over the reins, ensuring Northern Rivers residents have this tasty treat for years to come.
