Problems and Constraints in Banana Cultivation: A Case Study in Bhagalpur District of Bihar, India

Abstract

India has been predominantly agrarian economy since time immemorial. Development efforts over the last four decades have doubtless strengthened our industrial base. The banana in the state has been reportedly being cultivated under traditional manner. By and large, the farmers are cultivating only the traditional varieties of banana. Perishability is one of the important constraints in banana production and marketing. Processing opportunities are absent to a great extent. The price behaviour in banana crop has been violently fluctuating and the farmers are put to great loss and the consumer is also not benefited. The non-availability of credit was important to the extent of 88.0, 77.0 and 33.0 per cent for semi-medium, marginal &small and medium and large category of banana growers, respectively. The non-availability of proper market and dominance of pre-harvest contractors was considered the limiting factor in the order of 100, 64 and 44 per cent by three categories of growers, respectively with overall mean average as 77 per cent. All sample growers were of the opinion that the soil of the area is suitable for banana cultivation as well as its profitable nature. As far as its ‘ready market’ aspect was concerned 21, 24 and 8 growers favoured it, while ‘regular income’ aspect was favoured by 21, 25 and 7 growers respectively.