Comparative Economic Analysis of Tissue Culture and Conventional Banana Cultivation Across Different Farm Sizes in Amravati District

Abstract

One of the most significant tropical fruits, bananas are grown extensively for their commercial, nutritional, and economic returns. For sustainable farming, increasing productivity through effective input use is essential. With a particular focus on banana farmers, this study investigates the "Comparative Economic Analysis of Tissue Culture and Conventional Banana Cultivation Across Different Farm Sizes in Amravati District." In the Amravati district's Anjangaon Surji and Achalpur tehsil, a comparative study of cost and returns of banana cultivation through tissue culture and conventional method. During 2022–2023, data was collected from 120 farmers in total—60 tissue culture farmers and 60 conventional farmers. In order to evaluate the cost structure, input utilization, and profitability per hectare for both tissue culture and conventional method, primary data were collected. The primary cost factor in both approaches was labour, which accounted for 17–19% in tissue culture and 23–24% in conventional cultivation, suggesting a higher labour intensity in the latter (Karthick & Mani, 2013; Dave et al., 2016). Due to the investment in high-quality plantlets, the cost of planting material was substantially higher in tissue culture cultivation (16.8%) compared to conventional (11.4%). Applying manure and fertilizer accounted for a sizable portion of overall expenses for all farm sizes. Tissue culture cost an average of Rs. 3.63 lakh per hectare, while conventional banana cultivation cost an average of Rs. 3.98 lakh. Previous economic studies in Maharashtra and other states have highlighted significant variations in costs, returns, and input use across different banana production systems (Bondar et al., 2015; Kumari et al., 2021). Although the yield performance was nearly identical, averaging about 888 quintals per hectare, tissue culture had a lower per-quintal cost of production (Rs. 392–420/q) than conventional (Rs. 437–475/q). The results indicate that because of increased productivity, consistent growth, and improved input efficiency, tissue culture banana cultivation is more economically feasible and cost-effective.