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DR B C Biswas - June Issue of MKTG News PDF
DR B C Biswas - June Issue of MKTG News PDF
3-10(8 pages)
Banana is a high value crop grown in tropical and sub tropical zones of India. High tech banana cultivation
by using High Density Planting (HDP), Tissue Culture (TC) and fertigation gives very high yield and profit.
Among the various states Tamil Nadu ranks first in banana area and production and second in productivity.
This paper highlights the importance of HDP in banana cultivation and also presents some success stories
of farmers of Tamil Nadu in banana cultivation through improved technology.
World Scenario: Bananas are the fifth fresh banana from India during the Indian Scenario : The role of fruits in
largest agricultural commodity in world last three years is given in Table balanced diet is well documented. But
trade after cereals, sugar, coffee and 2. there is a huge gap between demand
cocoa. India, Ecuador, Brazil and China and supply. Though the total fruit
alone produce half of total bananas of production has increased from 28632
the world. The advantage of this fruit is Table 2 – Export of fresh thousand tonnes in 1991-92 to 63503
banana from India
its availability round the year. The thousand tonnes in 2007-08, there is
scenario of area, production and Sr. Year Quantity (t) Value very little improvement in productivity
productivity of banana is given in No. (Rs. in crore) (Table 3).
Table 1.
1. 2004-05 12817 13.42
Banana crop is widely grown in India
Table 1 – Area, production and and has great socio-economic and
2. 2005-06 11475 16.06
productivity of banana
religious significance. Banana is the
3. 2006-07 14411 22.36 fourth-important food ingredient in terms
Area Production Average
(ha) (‘000 t) productivity of gross value exceeded only by rice,
(t/ha) Source : (9)
wheat and milk product. It is an important
World 454470 269280 15.20 Table 3 – Area production and productivity of fruit in some
fruit growing states in India
India 529700 16225 30.63 States Area (‘000 ha) Production (‘000 t) Productivity
(tonnes / ha)
Source: (9)
1991-92 2007-08 1991-92 2007-08 1991-92 2007-08
The major banana exporting countries
Maharashtra 256.1 1432.3 3518.4 11047.6 13.7 7.7
are Ecuador, Colombia, Costa Rica
Andhra Pradesh 313.1 853.0 4008.2 10722.3 12.8 12.6
and Philippines and the major
Tamil Nadu 136.2 292.3 1101.3 2579.8 4.7 8.0
importing countries are USA, Belgium,
Kerala 236.3 323.3 1101.3 2579.8 4.7 8.0
Germany and United Kingdom.
Gujarat 84.5 306.9 1828.9 5849.7 21.6 19.1
According to FAO estimates, India
Karnataka 209.3 279.0 3191.8 4588.0 15.2 16.4
occupies the highest area under
Bihar 266.9 286.2 2799.2 3552.4 10.5 11.4
banana cultivation in the world. It
Uttar Pradesh 303.2 316.0 2449.8 3757.5 8.1 11.9
may be noted that 11 percent of the
West Bengal 111.3 194.3 1131.7 2766.7 10.2 14.2
total global area under banana belongs
Orissa 136.3 265.3 978.0 1275.1 7.2 4.8
to India. India ranks first in
Jammu & Kashmir 119.1 194.9 700.8 1435.9 5.9 7.4
banana production, contributing about
Himachal Pradesh 157.2 202.4 339.9 713.0 2.2 3.5
23% in world pool of banana
Uttarakhand 150.5 171.3 428.7 717.9 2.8 4.2
production.
Others 395.0 657.8 6287.8 7267.7 15.9 11.0
Total 2875 5775 28632 63503 10.0 11.0
The export of Indian banana is
mainly to UAE, Saudi Arabia and
Source: (3)
other Gulf countries. The export of
crop for small and marginal farmers. It is The major banana growing states and Kerala. State wise area, production
very rich in various food ingredients are Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and productivity is mentioned in Table
as indicated in Table 4(a) and 4(b). A.P., Karnataka, Bihar, W.B., M.P., Assam 5 and Figure 1 depicts the leading
Table 5 – Statewise area, production and productiviy of banana
1. TAMIL NADU 94.6 102.2 114.1 4647.6 5019.4 6116.5 49.1 49.1 53.6
2. MAHARASHTRA 73.2 73.4 80.0 4608.5 4621.9 4962.9 63.0 63.0 62.0
3. GUJARAT 49.2 53.4 57.7 2498.8 2912.6 3157.7 50.8 54.5 54.8
4. AP 65.0 72.4 75.1 1626.1 2173.3 2254.3 25.0 30.0 30.0
5. KTK 56.4 60.8 59.9 1423.8 1558.5 1513.3 25.2 25.6 25.3
6. BIHAR 28.0 29.0 30.5 959.3 1125.1 1329.4 34.2 38.8 43.6
7. WB 27.8 31.7 37.4 544.9 802.1 892.2 19.6 25.3 23.9
8. MP 15.0 14.9 15.2 730.0 773.0 788.2 48.8 52.0 51.9
9. ASSAM 42.0 43.3 44.1 577.7 598.9 610.9 13.8 13.8 13.8
10. KERALA 61.4 59.1 61.5 491.8 463.8 493.9 8.0 7.8 8.0
11. OTHERS 56.8 63.9 71.4 818.5 949.3 1085.4 14.4 14.9 15.2
Total 569.5 604.2 646.9 18927.0 20997.8 23204.8 33.2 34.8 35.9
Source : (5)
4962.9
5000
restricted to a few varieties like hill
banana. Mean temperature for optimum
4000
3157.7 growth varies 20-30ºC. Its growth declines
3000 2254.3 with increase and decrease in temperature
2000 1513.3 1329.4 (4). Banana can be grown in all kinds of
892.2 788.2
1000 610.9 493.9 soils provided drainage condition is
0 good. In sandy loam soil, plants grow
faster compared to heavy soils. The
optimum pH is 6.6 to 7.5.
Oman 0.9 22.5 Karnataka Dwarf Cavendish, Robusta, Rasthali, Poovan, Monthan, Elakkibale
Bahrain 1.2 44.6 Kerala Nendran (Plantain), Palayankodan (Poovan), Rasthali, Monthan,
Qatar 1.3 31.8 Red Banana, Robusta
Madhya Pradesh Basrai
Kuwait 1.5 38.4
Maharashtra Dwarf Cavendish, Basrai, Robusta, Lal Velchi, Safed Velchi,
Nepal 7.8 30.4 Rajeli Nendran, Grand Naine, Shreemanti, Red Banana
Maldives 1.2 13.9
Orissa Dwarf Cavendish, Robusta, Champa, Patkapura (Rasthali)
Japan 0.2 3.9
Tamil Nadu Virupakshi, Robusta, Rad Banana, Poovan, Rasthali,
UK 0.1 2.6 Nendran, Monthan, Karpuravalli, Sakkai, Peyan, Matti
Others 0.9 9.9
West Bengal Champa, Mortman, Dwarf Cavendish, Giant Governor,
Total 30.4 554.5 Kanthali, Singapuri, Lacatan and Monthan
I. Preparatory cultivation
application of Mg SO 4 is found to be
Table 11 – Use of fertiliser in Banana crop in different states
effective. Although sulphur deficiency
in soils has been reported in some cases States Spacing (m) Fertiliser dose
but it is not a serious problem in case of
banana. Sulphur uptake is high during N (gm/tree) P2O5 (gm/tree) K2O (gm/tree) FYM (kg/tree)
sucker to shooting stage but after
shooting sulphur supply comes from Andra Pradesh 2x2 200 40 200 -
leaves and pseudostem. Bihar 2x2 125 80 225 9
SUCCESS STORIES OF
BANANA FARMERS
Story 1
Tamil Nadu ranks first in area and
production of banana but in Tamil Nadu
banana cultivation has a limitation
because the state experiences strong
winds that cause the falling down of
banana plant during strong wind. Heavy
rainfall or monsoon failures and absence
of proper marketing are some of the
limiting factors which have prevented the
farmer not to go in for banana cultivation. Figure 3 – Map of banana growing
But the farmers of Theni, Chinnamanur zone in Tamil Nadu
and Uthampalayam regions of Tamil Nadu Source: (9)
have a different story to mention (Figure
The data indicated in Table 12 revealed 10. In the 7th month stakes were tied to
the interesting fact that a banana farmer the trees to prevent them from falling due
through the adoption of improved to wind or rains.
technique like HDP could get high yield 11. The bunching of fruits appeared
and net profit of Rs.4.5 lakhs in about 30 during 8th month after planting. During
months. This implies that a yearly income this time spray of poly feed over the fruit
of Rs 1.8 lakhs could be obtained from bunches was beneficial.
improved method of banana cultivation.
Story 2 Economics
Irrigation water and fertiliser are the two Figure 4 – Mr. Venkatesan, banana 1. The yield obtained was 100 tonnes (11
key inputs in crop production. The use farmer of Dharmapuri having a look at month crop).
his crop, which is ready for harvest
efficiency of these inputs through
2. Price per tonne was Rs.8,000/-
traditional method of application is low.
However modern technique like HDP 3. Income generated Rs.8,000 x 100 =
coupled with fertigation can result in very been cultivating high value crops like Rs.8,00000/-
high profit in case of fruit crop like tomato, lady finger and cavendish variety
banana. A banana farmer called Mr. M of banana. 4. Cost of drip irrigation was Rs.1.15 lakh.
Venkatesan (Figure 4), of 5. Cost of per sucker was Rs.11 So 3,000x
Poduthampatti post, Kuddampatti Benefit Accrued 11 = Rs 33,000/-
village, Somanahalli, Palacode Taluka,
Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu has Mr. M Venkatesan one of the farmers of
the project area had cultivated G-9 Emerging New Areas of Banana
adopted hi-tech agriculture with the help
cavendish variety in one hectare area. Cultivation
of Tamil Nadu Agriculture University
(TNAU) under the project called About 25 hectares being cultivated under
banana crop in the Dhramapuri district. Punjab is world famous for the
precision farming being operated in
By adopting this technology Mr. production of cereals particularly through
Krishnagiri and Dhramapuri districts with
Venkatesan saved 50% of irrigation water rice and wheat cropping system. Efforts
a project cost of Rs.10 crore covering an
(9). The important features of the have been on for more than three decades
area of 400 ha in these two districts (8).
technology adopted by him are detailed to break the rice-wheat cropping system,
These project has become a blessing to
below. but no visible results were recorded thus
all farmers of these districts who have
far. Of late, inclusion of banana in Punjab
FERTILISER MARKETING NEWS June 2010 9
is being thought to break these barriers. a rainfall of 500-2,000mm every year. Banana price normally dose not
Interesting information in this connection fluctuate so much. Rather its price
has been published in Indian Express However, Punjab is known for its goes up during the festivals. Special type
Finance Chandigarh Edition (dated26/ extreme temperature, zero degree during banana can used as vegetable which has
4/2010) which is reproduced below (1). winters and as high 48 degree in also medicinal value. Processed banana
summers. The Punjab State Farmers has both national and international
To break the wheat and rice rotation
Commission provides special technique demand. Banana leaves, trunk,
cropping pattern, farmers in Punjab, the
to the farmers to cultivate bananas in inflorescence i.e. every part of it has a
country’s largest foodgrain growing
such extreme temperatures. special utility. Plants are used for
state are increasingly taking up banana
religious purposes as well. Cultivation of
farming in a big way. Banana farming, The fruit has been included in the such wonderful crop plants needs due
which started in Punjab in 2006, National Horticulture Mission and attention and encouragement which
has now emerged as an alternate form of attracts a 50% subsidy for its plants would result in higher fertiliser
farming with its acreage rising from and drip irrigation. According to the consumption and creation of wealth at
just 10 acres to 500 acres in four years. Punjab State Farmer Commission, it has farm level.
sold 196,000 tissue culture plants this
G. S. Kalkat, Chairman of Punjab State REFERENCES
season.
Farmers Commission said, “Planting
1. Ahuja, C., Indian Express Finance dated
banana on one acre gives as assured Sunil Jakhar, MLA from Abohar and April 26, 2010.
return of Rs1.5 lakh to Rs2.00 lakh.” son of former Lok Sabha Speaker
He said the Punjab government is Balram Jakhar, observes that “banana’s 2. Annual Report 2007-08, Dept of
planning to set up banana ripening inclusion in the National Horticulture Agriculture & cooperation, MAO, GOI,
chambers in Ludhiana, Patiala and Mission recently is likely to further New Delhi (2009).
Jalandhar to help growers. To make the encourage Punjab farmers to grow
diversification more attractive, he said, bananas as up to 50% subsidy will now 3. Biswas, B. C., Fert. Mktg. News, 41(2)
the state gives farmers a one-time capital be offered for its plants and drip 15 – 18 (2010).
assistance of Rs 40, 000 to build a irrigation”.
greenhouse.
FUTURE LINE OF WORK 4. Hand Book on Horticulture, Edited by
Mewa Singh, President of Banana Chadha, K. L. and Published by
Growers Association said “going by Directorate of Information and
1. As there exists the scope of expansion
present day high price that bananas Publications of Agriculture, ICAR, Krishi
of banana cultivation even in non
fetch in the market, a farmer can make Anusandhan Bhavan, Pusa, New Delhi –
traditional state likes Punjab, the
over Rs 2 lakh from every acre under 110012 (2002).
efforts in this respect need urgent
banana”. He disclosed that domestic attention.
consumption was also very high as 5. Indian Horticulture Database 2008
2. It is reported that fibre can be Edited by Kumar et al Published by
Punjab consumes bananas worth Rs 600 extracted from banana plants and a handy
crore every year, which were hitherto National Horticulture Board, MOA, GOI,
machine has been designed and 85, Institutional Area, Sector – 18,
imported from Maharashtra and Gujarat. manufactured by KVK, Rajamundry, CTRI
With Punjab going whole hog to grow Gurgaon – 122015 (2008).
(ICAR), A. P. Promotion of this
bananas like it did for kinnows (a technology would enhance income at farm
variety of orange), the state can meet at 6. HDP technologies developed by Indian
level. Institute of Horticulture Research (IIHR),
least half of its domestic demand from
own crop. 3. Banana consumes high amount of Bengaluru, Karnataka.
plant nutrients. Expansion of banana
Singh claims that the quality of plantation would result in highs fertiliser 7. Khan, A. and Nazir, Ahmed, Ex.
bananas produced in Punjab is very use. Professor, Plant Pathology, Univ. of Agril.
good as the state uses a different 4. There exists great scope of export of Sciences, Personal communication.
technique due to different weather value added banana products which
conditions in this part of the country. needs urgent attention. 8. Precision Farming Project of Tamil Nadu
The plant is sown in February so as to Agricultural University (TNAU),
keep it safe from fog and frost, which Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
CONCLUSION
helps its ripening. Banana is most
suited for cultivation in states with 9. Various websites on Horticulture.
HIGH TECH BANANA CULTIVATION CAN
average temperatures of 15 -35 ºC and results in very high yield and profit.