The district agriculture office in Pune plans to expand banana cultivation from 611 to 3,000 hectares. Current annual production stands at 67,600 tonnes, with a target of 200,000 tonnes in five years. Sanjay Kachole, district agriculture officer, stated, "We will initiate work in villages through our tehsil offices in the coming months."
The strategy includes leveraging artificial intelligence to increase yield from 42 to 65 tonnes per hectare. "We will draw up a comprehensive action plan — from spraying to use of new technologies — so that growers will have proper knowledge before going ahead with cultivation," Kachole noted. Key areas for cultivation include Indapur, Baramati, and Daund tehsils, with additional clusters planned for certain crops, including bananas.
Sunrise Village will see the establishment of advanced warehouses to ensure export-quality bananas. Solapur district, a major exporter, benefits from Ujani dam water, enhancing production in Karmala and Madha tehsils. Export destinations include Iran, Iraq, UAE, and others, with opportunities in the US, Russia, Japan, and Europe.
Ramesh Khartode, a farmer from Indapur, emphasized the need for assured rates and export guidance, suggesting village-level workshops. Activist Shantaram Sarvade highlighted the need for expert guidance and financial assistance for technology adoption. "Hand-holding is necessary. Otherwise, it would be impossible to achieve the desired results," Sarvade remarked.
Banana remains a key horticultural crop, with Andhra Pradesh as the largest producer, followed by Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh, contributing over 60% to India's annual output.
Source: Times of India