PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS OF RASABALE GROWERS

Banana is one of the most important major fruit crops grown in India. In respect of area it ranks second and first in production only after mango in this country. India leads the world in banana production with an annual output of about 16.820 mt. In India Tamil Nadu leads in total area and production with 2514729 T from 71088 ha. The banana culture in India is as old as Indian civilization. It seems that it is one of the earliest fruit crops grown by mankind at the dawn of civilization. In India, bananas are so predominant and popular among people that poor and rich alike like the fruit. Considering the nutritive value and fruit value of bananas, it is the cheapest among all other fruits in the country. Considering the year-round availability of fruits, unlike the seasonal availability of other tree fruits, it has become an inevitable necessity in any household in India, for all functions. The bananas were grown in Southern Asia even before the prehistoric periods and the world's largest diversity in banana population is found in this area. Hence, it is generally agreed that all the edible bananas and plantains are indigenous to the warm, moist regions of tropical Asia comprising the regions of India, Burma, Thailand and Indo China. The Nanjangud Rasa bale, which has unique characteristic, is identified by its distinct aroma when it ripens fully; the fruit is also characterized by its medium size and gall formation in the pulp. A major characteristic of the fruit is its long shelf life, as it survives for around a fortnight after its starts ripening. Nanjangud Rasa bale was one of the first crop varieties in the country to be registered in the geographical indications Registry of the union government during July 2005.