Banana (Musa sp.) has its origin in tropical region of South East Asia. The fruits are considered as “Gold Mine” of nutrients comprising of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates and rich source of fiber. Since the crop management requires low application of plant protection chemicals, banana is grouped under “Green Food”.

Bananas are the fifth largest agricultural commodity in the 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. The Worlds’ area & production (2013-14) for banana are 5034.09‘000HA & 106847.8 ‘000MT respectively.

In India, Banana ranks next only to mango in area and production. According to FAO estimates, India occupies the highest area under banana in the world. India ranks first in banana production, contributing about 27.8 per cent in world pool of banana production with 11% of global banana area. The important banana growing states in India are: Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, West Bengal, Bihar and Gujarat. India exports small quantities of bananas to Bahrain, Germany, Nepal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and USA.

Karnataka is one of the progressive states of India with great potential for development of fruit crops. The state is blessed with ten agro-climatic regions suitable for growing variety of fruits all round the year. The total area under banana crop is 802.6 ‘000HA in 2013-14 and the production of banana crop 29724.6 ‘000 MT in 2013-14. The major districts growing fruit crops in the state are Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Belgaum, Bidar, Bangalore, Bijapur, Gulbarga, Dharwad, Mysore, Tumkur, Bagalkot and Chitradurga. Karnataka is firth largest banana producing State, producing about 9% of total production of banana in the country.

Binny Mill is the Major market for banana in Karnataka. The harvesting period of banana in Karnataka starts from the mid of July upto September. The first crop is harvested after 11-13 months of planting. Therefore, for the benefit of farmers, the NCAP Network project on Market Intelligence functioning in the Department of Agricultural Marketing, Co-operation and Business Management, UAS Bangalore collected the weekly modal prices of banana that prevailed in Binny Mill market during the last five years and an econometric analysis was carried out to predict the prices of banana for the next five weeks. Also an opinion survey of banana traders and farmers was conducted.

ELAKKI BANANA

Based on the analysis and Market survey, it is forecasted that Elakki banana would fetch a modal price of around Rs. 29/- to 31/- per kg for next five weeks. This forecast prevails for current market sentiments & monsoon and could vary with changes in the market situation and rainfall. 

ROBUSTA

Based on the analysis and Market survey, it is forecasted that Robusta banana would fetch a modal price of around Rs. 9/- to 10/- per kg for next five weeks. This forecast prevails for current market sentiments & monsoon and could vary with changes in the market situation and rainfall.

RESEARCH TEAM

Dr. M. S. Jayaram, Dr. C. P. Gracy, Dr. M. R. Girish

Mangala. V. Reddy, Sakamma S

Department of Agricultural Marketing, Co-operation and Business Management

    UAS, GKVK, Bengaluru-65