Jalgaon: The Banana City of India

Can a city be the capital of Bananas? Well, the Jalgaon district of India has defied its dry weather conditions and has turned into the banana hub of the country. The story of this banana city is as sunny as the fruit itself!

Jalgaon | Source: adigitalblogger

Situated on the northern edge of the Deccan plateau, more than 300 kilometres from the west coast, Jalgaon is an unlikely contender for the title of the banana city of India. With meagre rainfall of about 750 mm per year and lacking coastal humidity, it defied the odds to be compared to banana-producing nations such as Mexico and Nicaragua. The transformation involved the collective efforts of researchers, agriculturists, and the adoption of modern cultivation technologies, with Vasantrao Mahajan playing a critical role.

Born in Chinawal village, Jalgaon, Mahajan revolutionised banana production in the district, contributing to its remarkable productivity. Despite having a promising career after completing his post-graduate degree, Mahajan chose to stay in Jalgaon, dedicating himself to improving banana cultivation.

Traditionally, the district employed flood irrigation and sucker planting, but with the arid climate, productivity was hindered. Mahajan introduced modern techniques such as drip irrigation, soil testing, and fertigation, creating awareness among farmers about these high-tech methods.

Two significant challenges faced the district—scarce water and dry weather. Banana cultivation typically requires over 2,000 mm of rainfall, a condition not met in Jalgaon. To address the water issue, Mahajan switched from flooding the fields to drip irrigation. This method significantly improved water efficiency, allowing the same quantity of water to be used for 15,000 plants instead of 10,000. Since its introduction in 1989, banana production tripled in the district.

Jalgaon's dry climatic conditions, unsuitable for banana plants that require humidity, were turned into an advantage through high-density planting. Close planting retained moisture and optimised space utilisation, preventing fungal infections common in humid regions.

Additionally, tissue culture was adopted to grow disease-free banana saplings in a controlled environment, ensuring genetic property and uniform plant age. This innovative approach not only presented diseases but also thrived in the dry weather of Jalgaon.

Jalgaon’s journey to becoming the Banana City is a testament to the successful combination of drip irrigation, strategic changes in cultivation methods, and leveraging the district's unique climatic conditions.