Economics of Banana Plantation

Fruits are a part of Indian heritage and culture. There are numerous references to fruits in India's scripture. The Padma Puran states that "the man planting trees by the way side will enjoy bliss in heaven for many years as there are fruits, flowers and leaves on the tree he plants". The importance of fruits in human diet has been well recognized. Professor Ruskin aptly said, "Cultivate health instead of treating diseases". The banana is one of the oldest horticultural products, which dates back to the advent of mankind. These days bananas are cultivated both for commercial and nutritional purposes. At present, banana is the second important fruit crop both in area and production in India. It has really paved the way of commercialization of agriculture after the introduction of New Agricultural Technology in India particularly in its North-East Region of the state of Bihar. Therefore, the importance of banana cultivation for economic upliftment of the people cannot be ruled out. The present study has been divided into seven chapters. The first chapter describes the problems of agriculture after introduction of new agricultural technology; economic importance of fruit cultivation, objectives of the study, hypothesis and research methodology. The second chapter discusses physiographic picture of Naugachia C.D. Block of Bhagalpur district in which information has been gathered concerning geographical, topographical, soil-condition, climate and rainfall, river system, population, literacy, occupational pattern, distribution of land holdings, land utilization pattern, cropping pattern, irrigation, allied activities, transport and communication, trade and commerce and administrative and development set up of the C.D. Block. The third chapter examines the impact of new agricultural technology on cropping pattern of the concerned area. The fourth chapter gives an account of the origin and development of banana plantation. The chapter fifth analyses the existing input-output ratio in banana cultivation of the study area. The chapters sixth discusses the problems faced by the banana growers of this region. The chapter seventh is the concluding part of the study in which findings of the study for future prospect of banana cultivations, conclusions and suggestions have been presented. This study will serve useful purpose by providing a basis for economic evaluation of fruit farming scheme for development of horticultural production by suggesting more effective ways and means of making rapid economic progress of rural India.