In a major boost to exports of Geographical Indications (GI) certified agricultural produce, a consignment of fibre and mineral rich ‘Jalgaon banana’ has been exported to Dubai. The twenty-two metric tonnes of GI-certified Jalgaon banana were sourced from progressive farmers of Tandalwadi village, part of Jalgaon district of north Maharashtra, a banana cluster identified under Agri Export Policy.
In 2016, Jalgaon Banana got GI certification which was registered with Nisargraja Krishi Vigyan Kendra (NKVK) Jalgaon. India’s banana export has been rising sharply because of adoption of farm practices as per the global standards. Jalgaon's entire 1,19,000 acres banana area is currently under drip irrigation. Bananas are wholly produced by independent growers.
Jalgaon district, which is known as ‘’Banana City of India” contributes about half of Maharashtra’s banana production and more than 16% of that of India.
The ministry of commerce and industry in a statement on Wednesday said India’s banana exports grew both in terms of volume as well as value from 1.34 lakh metric tonne valued at Rs 413 crore in 2018-19 to 1.95 lakh metric tonne valued at Rs 660 crore in 2019-20. During 2020-21 (April-February), India has exported banana worth of 1.91 lakh tonne valued at Rs 619 crore.
India is the world's leading producer of bananas with a share of around 25% in total output. Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh contribute more than 70% of the country's banana production.
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) promotes exports of agricultural & processed food products by providing assistance to the exporters under various components of its scheme such as Infrastructure Development, Quality Development and Market Development. In addition, APEDA also conducts international Buyer Seller Meets, Virtual trade fairs with importing countries to promote agricultural & processed food products.
Apart from this the Department of Commerce also supports exports through various schemes like Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme, Market Access Initiative.
