About Banana production
Bananas are produced in Asia, Latin America and Africa. The largest producers for domestic consumption are India and China. Due to the strict methods used to control irrigation and crop diseases in large-scale banana production, such production can have a significant negative impact on the environment and the health and safety of workers and the community. .
The global banana supply chain is strengthened by ongoing activities under the large distribution chains of major importing countries. These chains operate independently of the traditional fruit industry by sourcing bananas directly from growers and distributors.
Globally Production of Bananas
Bananas are grown in more than 130 countries around the world on 5.00 hectares and produce 103.63 million bananas and plantains (FAO, 2013). India is the largest producer of bananas in the world with 29.7 million tons in an area of 0.88 million hectares and a production of 37 MT / ha. Although India represents only 15.5% of its area, its contribution to world production is 25.58%.
Therefore, banana has become one of the important fruits, which is easily accessible to ordinary people. It is predicted that with increasing demand, 60 million tons of bananas will be needed to meet domestic needs in 2050. There is also great potential for the export of bananas and its products, which strengthens the demand. Bananas and plantains continue to show great growth around the world.
Its annual availability, value, taste, nutritional and medicinal value make it a favorite fruit of all societies with export potential. World bananas are produced in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Latin America because of the climate.
Banana production and productivity have increased significantly in the expansion of the region due to the intervention of the Mission for the Integrated Development of Horticulture, which supports the adoption of high quality crops, the use of physical culture of plants and the management of crops again. PHM) resource aid. So far, 11,809 packing plants with 34.92 lakh MT of cold storage capacity have been set up in the last three and a half years.
Productivity in India
Banana production and quality have increased rapidly in the state, and in the current fiscal year 2020-21, it is estimated that its export will reach 75,000 metric tons (MT), or 66.67% more than the value of 2019-2020 for sure. Export volume of 45,000 MT.
This is another dramatic increase for Andhra, which until the middle of the last decade was not higher than number four among India’s banana-growing states, and until 2016-17, could not export bananas due to lack of quality and lack of equipment to prevent destruction. products. In 2016-17, the export figure was only 246 MT, which shows the extent of growth in the state.
For this increase in Andhra banana exports, the Indian population is increasing, despite the severe lockdown caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2019-20, India has exported 1.96 lakh MT, almost 50% more than last year’s 1.34 lakh MT.
There are different types of bananas in India
Dwarf Cavendish: This is the main commercial variety grown in Maharashtra, Bihar, Gujarat and West Bengal for table and processing purposes. It is also grown in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. ‘Basrai’ is one of the most popular Indian commercial banana varieties. It is one of the most popular varieties of banana in Maharashtra. The size of the bunch, the length and the size of the fruit are all good, but the keeping quality is not good. The usual bunch weight is 15-25 kg in 6-7 handles and about 13 fruits per handle. Even when the fruit is ripe, the outer skin of the fruit retains some green color.
Robusta: It is a tall variety developed for table use in Tamil Nadu and parts of Karnataka. Robusta is one of the most popular table bananas in India. It produces large fruit and produces large clusters of fruit that develop well. Depending on the growing conditions, the dark green fruits turn bright yellow. The fruit is sweet and has a pleasant aroma. The weight of the cluster is estimated between 25 and 30 kg.
The fruit has a low shape, which leads to the quick drying of the pulp when it is ripe, which makes it not suitable for long distance travel.
Red banana: Red banana is one of the popular banana varieties in Tamil Nadu. It is grown commercially in Kerala and Tamil Nadu districts of Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli. It is popular in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and western and central India to some extent. He is known as Lal Velchi in Bihar and other parts of the country and Chandra Bale in Karnataka. It is a strong plant that can produce a bunch of 20-30 kg with proper care. Fruits are sweet, orange-yellow in color and aromatic.
Grand Naine: Grand Naine gets its name from its height compared to other Cavendish cultivars. It is taller than the Dwarf Cavendish plant but shorter than the Giant Cavendish plant. It is the most popular foreign banana in the world. It is a tall plant with a long bouquet, which produces many fruits.
It produces a bunch of 25 kilograms on average but it can reach 32-35 kilograms, with 8-10 hands and 200-220 fruits per bunch. The length of the fruit is 15-21 cm, while its circumference is 12-13 cm. Poovan: This is one of the major commercial banana species in Andhra Pradesh. It is the most commercially cultivated species in India, including species such as palayankodan in Kerala, Karpura Chakkarakeli in Andhra Pradesh, Poovan in Tamil Nadu and Alpan in the North Eastern region. This variety is slightly acidic and has a sweet and sour taste. When the fruits are ripe, they take on a yellow color. Nendran: Nendran is one of the popular banana varieties grown in Kerala.
It is used for tables and layouts. In recent years, Nendran’s business has exploded in Tamil Nadu. A bunch has 5-6 hands that is between 12 and 15 kilograms. The fruits have a distinctive neck with a tough green skin that turns purple as they mature.
Ney poovan: Ney poovan is the most robust diploid herb grown in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. It is now grown on a large scale in Kerala, which used to be grown in backyards. After 12-14 months, Ney Poovan is a slender plant with 15-30 kg bunches. Dark green fruits turn yellow and have a long shelf life. The fruit is fragrant, sweet, powdery and hard.
