Archives of Current Research International

Banana is one of the most promising business transactions in horticulture sector which contributes to farm income, employment and has export potential in Maharashtra state. This study dealt with economic performance and resource-use efficiency of tissue culture banana culture in major banana producing areas of Maharashtra. Primary data were collected from 400 banana growers using the multistage sampling technique and the study was conducted. Descriptive statistics, cost concepts, Cobb–Douglas production function, marginal value product and marginal factor cost (MVP–MFC) analysis, correlation analysis and ANOVA were employed for analysing the data. The results showed that although tissue-culture banana production was more expensive, it was still more profitable than the production using suckers. Further, higher productivity (790 q/ha) and higher net returns (Rs.) were observed in the tissue-culture cultivation. It showed higher benefit–cost ratio (4.47) and more acres (7,33,500/ha) than sucker cultivation. Labour and fertilisers had significant effects on banana productivity and the total elasticity coefficient revealed increasing returns to scale. Resource-use efficiency analysis indicated that resources (labour, fertilisers, plantlets) were underutilised while irrigation was overutilised. The results indicate that scientific input management, adoption of technology and efficient resource allocation can significantly increase the profits and sustainability of banana farming. The study suggests institutional strengthening for technology of tissue culture, drip irrigation system and scientific nutrient management to boost productivity and farm income.