A Study On The Production And Marketing Of Bananas In Kanyakumari District

Abstract

The banana is one of the most recognized and significant tropical fruits globally and is among the earliest known fruits to humanity. Its origins trace back to ancient times, often associated with the “Garden of Paradise.” Bananas are the fruit of Musa acuminata, named for its long, tapered flowers. Antonius Musa, the personal physician to Roman Emperor Octavius Augustus, is credited with promoting the cultivation of this exotic African fruit between 63 and 14 B.C. Portuguese sailors introduced bananas to Europe from West Africa in the early 15th century, where its name evolved from "banema" in Guinea to "banana" in English by the 17th century. Though widely cultivated in Africa, bananas are thought to have originated in East Asia and Oceania. Sailors later transported bananas to the Canary Islands, the West Indies, and eventually North America, with the Spanish missionary Friar Tomas de Berlanga. This study aims to examine the production and marketing of bananas in the Kanyakumari district. Primary data was gathered from 100 banana growers in the area, while secondary data was sourced from books, journals, magazines, and online resources. The data were analyzed using percentage calculations and the Garrett Ranking technique.