Banana Cultivation in India

GS 3 – Agriculture

India has seen a remarkable surge in banana exports, achieving a tenfold increase over the past decade. According to the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), India aims to hit $1 billion in banana exports within the next five years, emphasizing the growing importance of banana as a cash crop.

Bananas:

Banana is a tropical fruit crop and ranks as the second most important fruit in India after mango. It plays a crucial role in both domestic consumption and export markets.

Required Climatic Conditions:

• Temperature: Bananas thrive in a temperature range of 15ºC to 35ºC with relative humidity between 75-85%.
• Altitude: The crop grows well from sea level up to an elevation of 2000 meters, preferring tropical, humid lowlands.

Soil Requirements:

• Type: Deep, rich loamy soil is ideal for banana cultivation, with a pH range of 6.5-7.5.
• Properties: The soil should have good drainage, adequate fertility, and moisture retention. Saline or calcareous soils are unsuitable for growing bananas.

In India, bananas are cultivated across a range of climates, from humid tropical to dry, mild subtropics, with specific varieties chosen to suit local conditions.

Major Banana-Producing States in India:

India’s banana cultivation is concentrated in the following states:

• Andhra Pradesh
• Maharashtra
• Gujarat
• Karnataka
• Kerala