Smart farming cuts water use by 30%

To help banana farmers boost income while cutting down on water, fertilizer, and pesticide use, the National Research Centre for Banana (NRCB), Tiruchy, has rolled out a Smart Banana Farming initiative that combines quality planting materials with precision farming practices.

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @Tiruchy

In a bid to tackle malnutrition, the National Research Centre for Banana (NRCB) has developed two new fortified banana varieties enriched with vitamins.

The elite clones- NRCB Selection 16, rich in pro-vitamin A, and NRCB Selection 19, a high-yielding, disease-resistant variety- are set for release next year.

According to NRCB Director R Selvarajan, these sustainable varieties have already been distributed to 112 farmers across the country, primarily in Tamil Nadu and other major banana-growing states, for field testing.

He explained that NRCB Selection 16 (a Nendran type) contains pro-vitamin A levels nearly 10 times higher than the conventional Grand Naine variety. "With its yellow pulp, just five fruits are enough to meet the recommended dietary allowance of vitamin A," he said.

Meanwhile, NRCB Selection 19 (a Pacha Ladan type) offers 40% higher yield, and is resistant to Eumusae leaf spot disease. This eliminates the need for fungicide sprays, thereby reducing costs for farmers.