1. Crop study Banana

4. Crop background Banana is one of the most important fruits being produced in India It contributes around 39 % of total fruits production in India India is one of the most prominent exporter of banana The total production of banana in India is been 26217.2 thousand metric tons & total area under cultivation is 708.8 thousand hectors as per the report of National Horticulture Board Of India The prominent states producing banana in India are Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu , Karnataka, A.P., M.P., Assam

5. Crop background As per report of NHB published in 2008-09

6. Crop background Areas Visited Maharashtra :- Jalgaon (Production belt of river Tapi) Gujarat :- Vadodara (Production belt of river Narmada) Tamil Nadu :-Kumbakonam and Trichy(production belt of river Kaveri) The soil type needed for the banana plan is the one which readily drains out the water . This kind of soil is found in the areas nearby riverside. The areas selected for visit are one of those areas which contribute most in banana production in India

7. Pricing pattern Rs /ton

8. Various cropping patterns Gujarat(Vadodara) Prominent method being used in this area is tissue culture They plant the tissues in two patterns 6 * 6 feet 4.5 * 6feet The pattern depends upon the type of soil, type of tissue, Quality of feed water(weeds are introduced through water of river) It is seen that yield in terms of tonnage is better in 6 * 6 feet

9. Various cropping patterns Maharashtra(Jalgaon) Both the methods tissue culture & Flower (they call it Gadda) methods are being used Two patterns are seen in this region 5 * 5 feet 6 * 6 feet The pattern depends upon type of tissue/flower & soil

10. Various Cropping Patterns Tamil Nadu (Trichy and Kumbakonam the production belt of river Kaveri) They plant two rows 1*5 feet then leave a gap of 6-7 feet again two rows 1*5 feet (Pad row system) 6*6 feet (bed system)

11. Farming activities Ploughing open land Dry tilling Preparing cavities Trench digging Sowing tissue Weeding ,watering, manuring ,spraying pesticides After 3-4 months when the plant grows to 1.5-2 feet they support the base of plant with soil Some child plants grow around the parent plant they cut down child plants Weeding , watering & manuring (weeding is not an issue after 5-6 months as banana leaves don’t let the weed grow by stopping sunlight to reach the weed) Crop cycle is of 12months After cutting out the bananas they cut the tree down

12. The child plant to be cut down

13. Scope for small tractors small tractors can be the complete replacement of bullocks It will be a secondary tractor The activities that can be carried out with the small tractors are Supporting plant with soil, Weeding ,cutting trees down & spraying Most of the farmers are fascinated by the concept of small tractors as maintaining bullocks is tedious & also laborers are not easily available

14. Target customers The farmers having land holding 5 acres can be targeted. The average income seen in the banana is Rs 70000-80000 per acre. In Jalgaon region Mitsubishi (Mitsubishi shakti 18 hp) has launched small tractors but it failed due to weight issue(the banana plant needs loose soil so that the roots could penetrate easily , the heavy tractor damages the roots as roots are very delicate & it affects the yield)

15. Target Applications Tilling with tiller Preparing cavities (2-3 inch deep) with harrow plough Harrow plough. Expected to be adjustable to achieve desired gap between two rows

16. Target Applications Trench digging right now done manually 7-8inch deep. diameter being 5inch on and average The equipment for trench digging can also be provided(this is not a serious issue for them

17. Target Applications Weeding with wider or rotavator(supposed to reach 1.5 inch deep in earth) right now it is done either with the help of bullocks or manually Bullock driven weeder Rotavator provided with Kubota B 2420 40 inches in width

18. Target Applications Ridging with rigger( right now ridging is done manually or with the help of bullocks)

19. Target Applications Cutting trees right now done manually. The cut trees can be used in paper making, for preparing manure and in cuisine decorations

20. Future improvements The tissue culture method is becoming famous As the temperature is increasing year by year the farmers have started spraying water on leaves to keep it cool The farmers are tending to mechanization to maximum possible extent

21. CHALLENGES/LIMITATIONS The tractor must have low weight so that it will not affect the root zone of the plant. The expected weight is less than or equal to 500 Kg which resembles to a pair of bullocks The track width should be less than or equal to 4 feet It should have power steering so that it could be easily maneuverable and will not affect the plants at the end of rows while operating Frequent power cut off is a serious issue in Maharashtra region so the tractor should be capable of running generator which will be capable of running pumps ranging 12-15 hp

22. Farmers expectationsabout small tractors The tractor should be in affordable price range (3.5 – 4 Lakhs with implements) It should be 4WD tractor It should be having power steering Multispeed is not expected(according to farmers 600 rpm of P.T.O. will fulfill their requirements) It should be multipurpose tractor(Tilling, weeding. harvesting, puddling etc) It should have low track width (Less than or equal to 4 feet) It should have ground clearance more than or equal to 3 feet Banana orchardist expect it to be low weight The tractor should be robust one (It will be only a m/c for them)