- The origin of banana is believed to be in the hot, tropical regions of South-East Asia, stretching from India to Papua New Guinea, Malaysia and Indonesia.
- India has the second largest diversity of indigenous bananas in the world.
- India has more than 300 germplasms, out of 600 reported worldwide.
- Edible Banana has arisen as a result of natural crosses between two wild progenitors viz,. Musa paradisiaca and Musa balbisiana.
- Banana is being grown in many of the African countries between 300 N and 500 S latitudes.
- Important countries are India (1st place) with a total production of 17 million tons from an area of 0.50 million hectare, and the other countries growing banana are Kenya, Uganda, Sudan, Fizi, Honduras, Hawai, Canary Island, Philippines, Taiwan, Australia, Bangladesh, South Africa, Pakistan etc.
- In India, it is the 2nd major fruits, occupying about 20 per cent of the total area under fruit crops and 32 per cent of total fruit production, Tamil Nadu (88,000 ha.), Maharashtra (59, 000 ha.), Karnataka (61, 000 ha.), Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Gujarat and Kerala are the leading producers.
- Though, India is the leader in banana production, Indian export of fresh banana is meager (12 million tons).
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