The story
Banana farming spread in the Tapi valley talukas of Raver, Yawal and Chopda, where deep black soil and well water suit the crop. Jalgaon bananas are sent by rail and truck to north India, and the district became one of India's largest banana areas. Drip irrigation and tissue-culture plants, promoted by Jain Irrigation of Jalgaon, raised yields. Jalgaon banana got a GI tag in 2016.
In numbers
Jalgaon is a major banana-growing district in Maharashtra with 50,000 hectares under banana.
TNAU Agritech Portal – Banana tissue culture (Jain Irrigation)Jalgaon Banana is a registered GI (Application No. 498, Certificate No. 281 dated 30-11-2016); the applicant is Nisargraja Krushi Vidnyan Kendra.
GI Registry (IP India) – Application No. 498, Jalgaon Banana · 2016
GI tag
- Jalgaon BananaApplication no. GI Application No. 498, Certificate No. 281 (30-11-2016)GI Registry (IP India) – Application No. 498, Jalgaon Banana
Ways in for a newcomer
- Ripening chambers near consuming cities
- Banana chips, powder, flour and baby food
- Banana fibre extraction and craft products
- Tissue-culture nursery and hardening units
Problems the cluster faces
- Heat waves and wind storms damage plants
- Price swings and dependence on traders
- Diseases such as Panama wilt and CMV
- Limited export-grade handling
Businesses to start here
Tissue-Culture Banana Farming →Banana Chips →Banana Powder Unit →Banana Ripening Chamber →Banana Fibre Extraction Unit →Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory →