Q1.
Find out the varieties of bananas which are grown, cultivated and eaten in different parts of India.
Answer
India grows more bananas than any other country in the world, and almost every state has its own favourite variety. Here is a starter list for your project — add the ones sold in your own market.
| Variety | Mainly grown in | What it is known for |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Naine / Robusta | Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh | The common big yellow banana sold across India |
| Nendran | Kerala | Long and firm; used for banana chips and for pazham pori |
| Poovan / Rasthali | Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh | Small, sweet, slightly tangy; offered in temples |
| Yelakki (Elaichi) | Karnataka | Tiny, very sweet, with a hint of cardamom smell |
| Virupakshi (hill banana) | Palani hills, Tamil Nadu | A GI-tagged hill variety with a strong aroma |
| Chinia, Malbhog | Bihar, Assam, West Bengal | Soft and fragrant; Malbhog is a festival favourite |
| Karpuravalli | Tamil Nadu | Grows well with little water; used for making banana powder |
| Bhimkol | Assam | Seeded variety, traditionally given to babies |
| Monthan / Nenthran plantain | Tamil Nadu, Kerala | Cooking banana used in sabzi, bonda and kofta |
| Red Banana | Tamil Nadu (Kanniyakumari) | Red skin, cream flesh, very sweet |
You can check your findings on the websites of the ICAR–National Research Centre for Banana, Tiruchirappalli (nrcb.icar.gov.in) and the National Horticulture Board (nhb.gov.in).
Try This: Visit your nearest fruit market with an elder. Ask the shopkeeper the local name of every banana on the cart, note the price per dozen, and make a chart for your class wall.