Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan Interacts with Banana Growers and Stakeholders at Jalgaon

19 March 2026, Jalgaon, Maharashtra

Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, interacted with banana growers and stakeholders during a Banana Stakeholders’ Brainstorming Session held today at Kavayitri Bahinabai Chaudhari North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon popularly known as the “Banana City of India.”

In his address, the Minister emphasized the importance of clean and quality planting material, free from viruses and Fusarium wilt pathogens, for sustainable banana production. He assured that a dedicated team of ICAR scientists would be constituted to address Fusarium wilt challenges, including its effective management in Jalgaon district. Responding to farmers’ concerns, he also stated that crop insurance coverage tailored to banana cultivation risks would be expanded.

Farmers raised issues related to disease incidence, particularly Fusarium wilt and viral infections, as well as price fluctuations and demand for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for bananas. The Minister assured that efforts would be made to strengthen market linkages and ensure better price realization, thereby mitigating sudden price drops.

Highlighting infrastructure development, Shri Chouhan informed that cold storage facilities, pack houses, and ripening chambers would be established under a cluster development programme in Jalgaon to support exporters. He also stressed the need for efficient logistics and export facilitation systems to enhance market access and global competitiveness.

The Minister further assured that all queries raised during the session would be addressed by ICAR scientists and officials of the Ministry. Prior to the session, Shri Chouhan visited a protected banana cultivation unit at Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd., where he appreciated the climate-resilient production system designed to address challenges such as rising temperatures, cyclonic winds, and frost. The system demonstrated improved water and nutrient use efficiency, along with maintenance of disease-free plantations.

During the programme, a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was exchanged between ICAR–National Research Centre for Banana, Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, and Jain Irrigation Systems Limited, Jalgaon, in the presence of the Minister, for licensing of two banana varieties—Kaveri Poovan and Kaveri Vaaman. Kaveri Poovan is a high-yielding variety (20% higher than local Poovan) with salinity tolerance, resistance to Fusarium wilt, and freedom from episomal Banana Streak Mysore Virus. Kaveri Vaaman, a Grande Naine mutant, is shorter in stature, early maturing, suitable for high-density planting, and ideal for wind-prone regions due to reduced lodging.

The programme was attended by Ms Raksha Khadse, Union Minister of State for Sports; Shri Girish Mahajan, Minister for Water Resources, Government of Maharashtra; Shri Priya Ranjan, Joint Secretary (Horticulture) and Managing Director, National Horticulture Board, MoAFW; Dr V. B. Patel, Assistant Director General (Fruits and Plantation Crops), ICAR; Dr R. K. Singh, Assistant Director General (Extension), ICAR; Dr R. Selvarajan, Director, ICAR–NRC Banana; Dr S. K. Roy, ICAR–ATARI, Pune, along with officials from the Ministry, ICAR, and the State Government.

The session witnessed participation from around 700 farmers, exporters, scientists, and other banana stakeholders.

(Source: ICAR-National Research Centre on Banana, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu)