Date:05/08/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/08/05/stories/2005080501731200.htm

Back Centre to provide subsidy for banana cultivation

Our Bureau

New Delhi , Aug 4

IN order to encourage banana plantation in the country, the Centre plans to provide subsidy to the farmers to the extent of Rs 10,000 a hectare.

"Since the cost of planting bananas is high at about Rs 26,000 a hectare, we plan to subsidise farmers to the extent of Rs 10,000 per hectare," said the Agriculture Minister, Mr Sharad Pawar, speaking at inauguration of the two-day banana festival here on Thursday.

In water stressed areas where banana cultivation could be promoted, Mr Pawar said, 50 per cent subsidy would be provided for installation of drip irrigation facilities. He said farmers required about Rs 37,000 a hectare for irrigation, out of which Government plans to extend subsidy of up to Rs 18,500.

Even though India is the largest producer of bananas, the average yield per hectare at 27 tonnes is much lower than the average global yield of 35 tonnes, said Mr Pawar. In this context, he called for greater research and development activities to be taken up by the agricultural universities and research institutions.

India is the largest banana producer in the world, with over 13 million tonnes, contributing 19 per cent of the total world production of 71 million tonne.

Stating that the average consumption of banana stands at 0.35 per cent in India, he said, "If this average consumption reaches to one banana per person, it would ensure an increase in 300 per cent in the production."

He said the need of the hour was to increase domestic banana consumption.

On the Pakistan Government allowing import of sugar, Mr Pawar said it would help improve bilateral relations between the two countries and create a new market for India.