Coimbatore : The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) in a tie-up with the Port of Triest in Italy has commenced the export of select banana varieties from Tamil Nadu to European countries, which is said to be the first of its kind in India.
Coimbatore : The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) in a tie-up with the Port of Triest in Italy has commenced the export of select banana varieties from Tamil Nadu to European countries, which is said to be the first of its kind in India.
The Tamil Nadu Agriculture Minister, Duraikannu, flagged off the first consignment of 21 trucks, laden with Grand Nine banana varieties which were cultivated and harvested in Theni district.
The first consignment left for Cochin port from the TNAU premises.
The banana varieties were cultivated with technical assistance and harvested using post-harvest technologies. The National Banana Research Centre and the Horticultural department have coordinated in this first successful export of banana for the European market using the sea route.
“Tamilnadu is a leading producer of the banana crop in the nation; about 38.42 metric tonnes are produced every year and the crop is cultivated in over 19,600 ha. Exporting the banana varieties will earn good foreign exchange revenue for the country and help the growth of banana cultivation, the horticultural crop.
Tamil Nadu has set an example to other states by exporting banana by sea route which is the first ever in the country. The banana growers would stand to benefit a lot by the growing export market," said Duraikannu.