BANANA CLUSTER PROJECT

NEWS: Agriculture Ministry has announced a Banana Cluster project in Jalgaon, Maharashtra.

ABOUT

• The clusteràsdevelop facilities like planting material, pre-cooling units, cold chains, & food processing.
• Promotes Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), mechanisation, biocontrol, and quality planting material to improve yield and quality.
• Subsidiesà Provided under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) and Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF).

Jalgaon Banana

• Jalgaon (Maharashtra) à“Banana City” of India.
• Contributes 16% of India’s banana production
• 7th largest banana producer in the world.
• Black cotton soil, tropical climate, and widespread drip irrigation make it ideal for banana cultivation.
• 2016àJalgaon Banana got the Geographical Indication (GI) Tag.

Banana Cultivation in India

• Bananaà Native to India and is widely grown in the tropical, sub-tropical, and coastal regions of India.
• IndiaàLargest producer of bananas in the world, with a share of around 25% in total output.
• Key Banana-Producing States: Andhra Pradesh (largest), Maharashtra, Karnataka, & Tamil Nadu.
• Banana ranks 1st in production and 3rd in area among India’s fruit crops.
• Climate: 15–35°C temperature, high humidity (75–85%), and 650–750 mm monsoon rainfall; sensitive to cold (<12°C) and strong winds.
• Grows best in deep, well-drained loamy soil rich in organic matter & nutrients.
• It is a highly perishable crop vulnerable to pests, diseases, and price fluctuations