Introduction

• The uniqueness of banana sector in Assam, a natural home of this crop, is its diverse characteristics – i.e. varietal strength – numbering 15 to 20 which are either cultivated or partially domesticated or still in wild form.
• Some of the excellent traits of these varieties may be lucrative for the breeders – but these crops are for us awaiting commercialization and value addition.
• They are being cultivated mostly as home-stead crop in an area of 42,104 ha. which annually produces 5,80,995 MT of raw banana - more than 60 to 70 percent as marketable surplus.

VARIETAL SITUATION

The North-Eastern region has diverse forms of indigenous banana clones; most common indigenous cultivated banana are under the genomic group AAA, AAB and ABB. The region is endowed with wild balbisiana diploid (BB). Some of the important cultivars grown in this region and their characters are given in next slides.

• JAHAJI (AAA):   Plant dwarf statured;     Duration around 340 days;    Average bunch weight 20 kg;    TSS 20%.
• BAR JAHAJI (AAA):   Plant medium tall; Duration more than a year;    Fruits retain greenish colour even after ripening;     Average bunch weight around 25 kg;   TSS 21%.
• CHENICHAMPA (AAB):   Plant is medium tall; Duration around 370 days; Average bunch weight 15 kg; TSS 18 - 20%.
• MALBHOG (AAB):   Plant is medium tall;  Duration around 380 days;   Grown mainly in sandy loam soil and in foot hills;   Bunch weight 15 kg; TSS 22%.
• KANAIBANSI (AA) Plant height medium;    Duration around 405 days;   Long fruits;     Average bunch weight more than 20 kg.
• SAAPKAL (AAB):  Grown in the foot-hills;    Plant height medium;    Crop duration around 400 days;    Average bunch weight 18 kg;     TSS 20.17%.
• GARO MOINA (AAA)Grown in hills;  Plant medium dwarf;  Average bunch weight 17.65 kg;  TSS 15.33%

Status of Disease & Pest of Banana:

Major Diseases -

• Bunchy Top
• Leaf Spot
• Major Pests - Fruit scarring beettle
• Pseudo-stem borer

Uses of banana in Assam

• An integral part of typical Assamese dishes used as vegetables;
• Khaar (Ash) made from banana is a bio- antacid;
• as dish, wrapping, packing material etc;
• as rescue boat by tieing 3 to 4 pseudo- stems by marooned people;
• as baby food by mixing with rice flour;
• media for preparing vermi-compost;
• as inter-crop along with other plantation;
• as ingredient for beer making.

Banana as thrust crop under Horticulture Technology Mission already covered more than one thousand hectare under modern cultivation practices.

Where lies the strength ?

• The crop is bound to be happy when there is rich soil and abundant rainfall.
• Wide range of varietal options - each having its own beauty.
• Existence of biggest banana market at Darrangiri in Goalpara district. Already a hot spot for middle man / external traders.
• It is one hundred percent organic.
• Existence of strong R&D infrastructure.
• Existence of Tissue culture laboratory for large-scale propagation.
• Domestic market is lucrative but can be spring-board for export.
• Excellent atmosphere for investment in processing sector - supported by central and state incentives.
• Cheap labour.

Case study of success in Banana Plantation in Assam:

Darrangiri:  Asia's largest Banana market:

• Daranggiri is located near NH37 in Goalpara district of Assam.
• There are around 15000 people involved in it.
• These bananas are exported to Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh,
• Darnggiri’s Monthly turnover is 4 Crore. September- october is the peak time when around 50 truck loads are sold in a day.

To accelerate the growth of the banana market and to fulfill its market potential, CM Shri Sarbananda Sonowal has announced the establishment of Assam Agricultural University in Goalpara.