STUDY ON INFORMATION NEEDS REGARDING CULTIVATION AND MARKETING CONSTRAINTS OF BANANA GROWERS IN AGASTEESWARAM TALUK OF KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT OF TAMIL NADU

In Banana production India has first rank in the world. In agriculture, the production of fruits and vegetables are of so vital importance that it provide three to four time more income than cereals per unit of land. The fruit crops hold a great promise for accelerating income of the farmers. Realizing the importance of fruit cultivation many farmers are diverting their resources towards plantation of fruit crops. Area under fruit crops is, therefore, increasing day by day. Banana could be considered as poor man's apple and it is available throughout the year unlike seasonal availability of other fruits. Tamil Nadu state rank in banana production in India is first where area is 113.7 thousand hectare and production is 5136.2 thousand M.T. the banana in the state has been reportedly being cultivated under traditional manner (NHB, 2018-19). By and large, the farmers are cultivating only the traditional varieties of banana. The profitability of the banana products has not been quite substantial. The profitability of banana production depends upon the income generating capacity and cost structure of the enterprises. However, much information is not available on the economic aspect of banana cultivation at micro level. Hence a study encompassing the above-mentioned issues is a felt need and it is quite justified in taking up such a study. In order to find the solution to some of the problems discussed above, the present study has been contemplated in Kanyakumari.