Empowering through taste: The success story of Assam's 'Mr. Banana Chips'

Tezpur: Mapita Production, a rising company based in Assam, India, is making waves in the snack food industry with its high-quality banana chips marketed under the brand name 'Mr. Banana'. Founded by Nabankur Patowary, the company aims to provide a healthier alternative to traditional snacks by producing organic banana chips made from raw bananas cultivated in the fertile soil of Assam.

During a conversation with Business North East, Patowary shared the journey and vision behind the creation of Mr. Banana chips. "I graduated in 2012 with a B.Tech in electronics and communication. After working in the corporate sector for 10 to 12 years, I realized the scarcity of healthy snacks in the market. Although many renowned companies offer chips, they often use palm oil, which is not healthy. This inspired me to produce something both healthy and tasty. Given the abundant production of bananas in Assam, I decided to try making banana chips," he said.

Patowary emphasized the use of sunflower oil in frying the chips, which is a healthier alternative to traditional frying oils. The use of sunflower oil not only makes the chips healthier but also contributes to their light and crispy texture, according to Patowary. Mr. Banana chips come in various flavors, including 'classic salted', 'chatpata masala', and 'sour cream and onion', ensuring a burst of flavor in every bite.

The company sources raw bananas from different regions in Assam, such as Dhekiajuli, Nagaon, Biswanath Chariali, and recently, Majuli, through connections with local farmers.  company has established connections with local farmers to ensure a steady supply of high-quality organic produce.

Tezpur is the hub of the production process, where raw bananas are received, fried, seasoned, and packed. "Our cost of goods is 40 percent, distributor margin and GST are around 54 percent, salaries account for 8 percent, packaging and floristic costs are about 8 percent, and we spend approximately 5 percent on marketing and 2 percent on electricity," Patowary said, providing insight into the company's cost structure. He added, "Our remaining profit margin is therefore between 3 and 4 percent. We organically make about 10 percent profit from our B2C sales on Amazon, where we haven't sponsored any listings."

Mapita prides itself on its inclusive workforce, with 50 percent of its employees being female and all hailing from Assam, Patowary highlighted. Patowary said that he conducted research and development to perfect the production process and personally trained the employees. "There was no existing production of banana chips in Assam, so I took it upon myself to develop the process and train our team," he said. 

Mr. Banana chips are available through various online channels, including Amazon, where customers can purchase a variety of packs to enjoy the different flavors.

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