Project Reports

Banana is a fast growing and high biomass-yielding plant. India is the largest producer of banana next to mango. The major banana producing states are Maharashtra, kerela, Tamilnadu, Gujarat, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.They are cultivated primarily for their fruit, and to a lesser extent to make fiber and as ornamental plants. The fruit averages 125 grams (0.28 lb), of which approximately 75% is water and 25% dry matter. Each individual fruit (known as a banana or 'finger') has a protective outer layer (a peel or skin) with a fleshy, edible inner portion. Both skin and inner part can be eaten raw or cooked.

About 90% of banana produced is consumed domestically as fresh fruit. Merely 5% is consumed in processed form providing a good potential for future processing. About 2.5% is only processed purely as banana products and the rest as an ingredient in other foods. About 17 varieties of products could be made from banana. The primary product of banana in market is “fried chips and candy” which constitute around 31 %,rest as banana puree 9%, banana pulp 3%, banana beer 3%, banana wafers 3%, banana powder 6% and others. There is a good market demand of all banana products. There is an ample of new local market growing in India. Most of the banana product manufacturers are in the small scale sector.The government of India has set up a separate full-fledged ministry named “Ministry of Food Processing Industries “for the development and promotion of food processing industries. To boost fruits and vegetables processing, the ministry is extending financial support for setting up new units, modernization and upgradation of existing units.India has an excellent scope for development of several value added products like juice, biscuit, banana powder and industrial amylase enzyme with longer shelf life.