A STUDY ON PRODUCTION PATTERN OF BANANA IN SALEM DISTRICT

Dr.K.Jayaraman* and M.Sabari Sakthi**

*Associate Professor and **Master of Arts in Economics Final Year, Department of Economics,
Periyar University, Salem 636 011.

Abstract
Tamil Nadu agriculture is the most overriding sector in the economy of the state. Around
70 percent of the state's population is involved in agricultural activities as this is one of the
major means of livelihood in the state. Tamil Nadu has occupied an area of 1.3 lakh sq. km with
an overall area of around 63 L.H for plantation. The primary responsibility of the government of
Tamil Nadu is to activate stability in the agricultural sector and also increase the sustainability
in the agricultural production of the state. In this regards, the present study focuses on
production pattern of banana in salem district. The present study includes introduction, review
of literature, importance of the study, objective, methodology, banana production in Tamil Nadu
and particular in Salem district and conclusion.
Keyword: agricultural sector, banana cultivation and production, etc.

A STUDY ON PRODUCTION PATTERNOF BANANA IN SALEM DISTRICT

Dr.K.Jayaraman* and M.Sabari Sakthi**
*Associate Professor and **Master of Arts in Economics Final Year, Department of Economics,
Periyar University, Salem 636 011.

Introduction
Banana is the fruit of a plant of the genus Musa (family Musaceae), which is cultivated
primarily for food and secondarily for the production of fiber used in the textile industry are also
cultivated for ornamental purposes.The banana is not a tree but a high herb that can attain up to
15 meters of height. The cultivars vary greatly in plant and fruit size, plant morphology, fruit
quality and disease and insect resistance. Most bananas have a sweet flavor when ripe;
exceptions to this are cooking bananas and plantains. Plantains are hybrid bananas in which the
male flowering axis is either degenerated, lacking, or possess relicts of male flowers. Plantains
are always cooked before consumption and are higher in starch than bananas. The two groups of
plantains, French and Horn, produce fewer fruit per plant than sweet bananas. The groups differ
in whether the male parts of the inflorescence are present or absent.
Review of Literature
UmaGowri(2015), Stated on banana Apple of Paradise is one of the oldest fruits known

to mankind and also a rich source of energy (104 cal/100gram. It is highly nutritive and very
delicious. The probable origin of this crop is Southeast Asia. It is also utilized in a number of
forms of food, medicine, feed, fuel and individual application.Improved technologies needed to
enable farmers to grow more bananas on limited land with reduced Cost of cultivation. The cost
and returns analysis reveals that higher net returns was realized in Nendran variety.Proper
measures to be taken for stabilizing the price fluctuation, which will improve standard of living
of farmers.
Kathirvel (2007),analyzed on the agricultural growth strategy of the past has intensified

the interclass inequalities. Except the imputed value of family labour, the other things like cost
of production, overall returns etc., are not favorable to the small farmers. This should be
considered by the Government. The crop insurance is one of the measures suggested that has to

be extended to all the farmers. Steps should be taken to reduce the losses arising out of high
moisture content of the banana. The banana is also seriously affected by various diseases.
Therefore, a permanent research station may be set up to protect the banana from disease.
Importance of the Study
Banana is one of the major and economically important fruit crops of India. Due to rising
demand of Banana in Gulf countries, Indian banana exports are looking northwards. The West
-Asia countries that traditionally sourced bananas from Philippines have been gradually shifting
their focus towards India because of improved quality and price advantage
Objective
To study on the production pattern of banana in Salem district
Methodology
The study based on secondary data only. Secondary sources collected from Tamil Nadu
Agriculture Department Reports, Tamil Nadu Horticulture Department Reports and internet
sources.
International Scenario
Bananas are the fifth largest agricultural product in world trade after cereals, sugar, coffee
and cocoa. India, Ecuador, Brazil and China alone produce half of total bananas of the world.
The advantage of this fruit is its availability round the year. Banana production in India (30.05
million tons) holds first rank around the world level, and follows China (11.94 million tons) and
Uganda (11.83).
Indian Agriculture
India is more than 70% of the population is depending on agriculture in one form or the
other. The present population is about 1000 million which is expected to stabilize at about 1500
million by the middle of present century. This trend of population growth created alarming
situation as the scope of increasing area under cultivation is limited.India produces about 10% of
the fruits produced in the world. The country holdsthe first position in the world in producing the
following fruits: Banana, Papaya, Mangoes and Sapota.
Tamil Nadu in Agriculture
Tamil Nadu agriculture is the most overriding sector in the economy of the state. Around
70 percent of the state's population is involved in agricultural activities as this is one of the major

means of livelihood in the state. Tamil Nadu has occupied an area of 1.3 lakh sq. km with an
overall area of around 63 L.H for plantation. The primary responsibility of the government of
Tamil Nadu is to activate stability in the agricultural sector and also increase the sustainability in
the agricultural production of the state. This is done with an objective to meet the demands put
forth by the growing population in the food segment as well as the raw materials department in
the agro-based industries. This will take a toll on the unemployment in the rural areas. The
agriculture in Tamil Nadu has executed a creditable performance over the years with the help of
so many efficient farmers who are both responsive and receptive to the technological
development introduced in the agricultural sector of Tamil Nadu.
The major crops sown in Tamil Nadu are rice, jowar, ragi, bajra, maize, and pulses. Few
other crops that are highly cultivated in the regions of Tamil Nadu are cotton, sugarcane, tea,
coffee, and coconut. Tamil Nadu has also gained a commendable status is the horticultural sector
in its agricultural department.
Banana Cultivation in Tamil Nadu
Our State Tamil Nadu is supposed to be the largest producer of Bananas in India.
However Tamil Nadu is the second largest Producer of Bananas.The horticultural products of
Tamil Nadu include money crops and oil seed crops. Bananas and mangoes are cash crops while
groundnuts, sesame, and sunflower are oil seed crops. Paddy is the most leading crop in the state.
Tamil Nadu is also widely popular as the largest producer of agricultural products in India
Table 1:States Production of Banana in India - 2015
State

Maharashtra

Tamil
Nadu

Gujarat

Karnatak
a

AP

Others

Productio
n
(%)

25

20

15

10

10

20

Source: www.mospi.gov.com

More than 30 varieties of banana being produced in Tamil Nadu, it notes that the global
market will be offered more variety at a very competitive cost.
The table 2 revealed that top five states are produce of banana in India during 2015.The
major banana growing states are Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Assam, Karnataka, Kerala,
Bihar, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh. In terms of area under

cultivation Tamil Nadu ranks first, while Maharashtra leads the list as top production.
Agriculture Export Zones proposed for Banana in Tiruchirappalli District
Analysis and Discussion
Types of banana
Robusta, Dwarf Cavendish, Grand Naine, Rasthali, Vayalvazhai, Poovan, Nendran, Red
Banana, Karpooravalli, Co.1, Matti, Sannachenkadali, Udayam and Neypoovan are popular
varieties in banana. Cavendish groups are generally preferred in export market. Monthan,
Vayalvazhai, Ash Monthan and Chakkia are cultivated for culinary purpose. Nendran is a dual
purpose variety used for dessert and culinary. The banana cultivation lands classified as follows:
Virupakshi, Sirumalai and Namarai. Red Banana, Manoranjitham (Santhanavazhai) and Ladan
are also cultivated in hills locations. Banana cultivation under the soil and climate condition is
very importantwelldrainedloamy soils are suitable for banana cultivation. Alkaline and saline
soils should be avoided.
Irrigation of Banana
Irrigateimmediately after planting; give life irrigation after 4 days; subsequent irrigations
are to be given once in a week for garden land bananas and once in 10 15 days for wetlands.
Irrigate the fields copiously after every manure application. Use drip irrigation 5-10
Duration(Weeks
Quantity of Water(1/Plant)
)
1.
After Planting
1 - 4
4
2
Juvenile Phase
5 - 9
8 - 10
3
Critical Growth Stage
10 - 19
12
4
Flower Bud Differentiation Stage
20 - 32
16 - 20
5
Shooting Stage
33 - 37
20 and above
6
Bunch Development Stage
38 - 50
20 and above
litres/plant/day from planting to 4th month, 10-15 litres/plant/day from 5 thto shooting and 15
S.No

Crop Growth Stage

litres /plant/day from shooting to till 15 days prior to harvest.

Table 2: Irrigation of Banana
Source:Secondary data from GOI, Agricultural Statistical Department

Table 3: Gross banana production in Salem district

S.No
Fruit
2011-2012
2012-2013
2013-2014
1.
Banana
2550.78
2404.35
1649.59
Source:: G-Return Data From Statistical Department Salem.

2014-2015
1966.58

The Table 3 shows that groos banana production declining in the study area.

Table 4 Banana productions in Salem district.

Blocks

20132014
Ayothiyappattinam
125.205
98.445
86.525
Attur
111.600
218.460
69.905
Edappadi
168.995
247.220
158.660
Gangavalli
277.900
383.555
223.365
Kadayampatti
49.400
43.140
49.200
Kolathur
543.945
430.630
245.490
Konganapuram
14.470
20.140
19.050
Magudanchavadi
39.135
31.935
27.460
Mecheri
110.145
40.510
64.570
Nangavalli
90.790
66.110
15.200
Omalur
50.890
10.061
20.750
Panamarathupatty
62.450
88.895
47.060
Pethanaickanpalayam
306.940
213.585
222.560
Salem
33.720
32.860
32.250
Sankari
54.240
47.730
58.230
Thalaivasal
66.955
167.055
29.435
Tharamangalam
21.900
16.835
13.240
Valappady
127.900
83.190
76.605
Veerapandy
121.500
107.990
133.550
Yercud
51.120
55.215
55.945
Total
2550.78
2404.35
1649.59
Source: G-Return Data FromStatistical Department Salem.
2011-2012

2012-2013

2014-2015
79.625
75.450
280.170
280.925
31.000
257.400
20.150
19.965
52.090
20.000
32.600
48.470
105.650
09.910
43.825
30.930
12.170
34.190
40.390
49.860
1555.58

Conclusion
Banana production is decreasing every year and at the same time there is large number of
cultivable land level is reduced. The main reason of decreasing production in the district farmers
are unable to cultivate of horticulture crops because, change the climate conditions and lack of
irrigation facilities. Most of the agriculturalist interested cultivated agriculture crops. The present
study found farmers wouldnt take highly risk to cultivate the horticultural crops especially
banana. Similarly, banana cultivation is going to low level at study area. The Government of

Tamil Nadu to introduce new schemes forbanana production, insurance scheme for banana as
well.
References
1. UmaGowri (2015), An economic analysis of production and marketing of banana in
india.http://ir.inflibnet.ac.in:8080/jspui/handle/10603/32568 2328-3734 accessed on 1st March
2016.
2. Kathirvel (2007),Cost and Returns of Banana Cultivation inTamil Nadu with Special
Reference to Karur District http://www.psgim.ac.in/journals/index.php/jcrm/article/view/184
3.Biswas (2010),High Density Planting: Success Stories of Banana FarmersFertiliser
Marketing News, 41 (6): 3-10.
4.AbdelmajeedF Suzan (2013),Financial Feasibility Study of Bananas Tissue Culture
Commercial Production in EgyptJournal of Finance, Accounting and Management, 4(2): 8796.
5. HossainM F(2014),A Study of Banana Production in Bangladesh: Area, Yield And Major
Constraints, Asian Research Publishing Network. 9(6):
6. CalderonReynan P(2003), Assessing Benefits and Costs of Commercial Banana Production
in the Philisppines, http://www.uplb.edu.ph/ Working Paper No. 03-03