An analytical study on the growth and decomposition of area, production, and productivity of banana in Theni District, Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Banana, often referred to as the “poor man’s apple” and the “fruit of the wise men,” plays a vital role in India’s rural economy. This study analyzes trends in banana cultivation over 21 years (2002-03 to 2022-23), focusing on area, production, and productivity using Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR), Cuddy-Della Valle Index (CDVI), and decomposition analysis. Results show annual growth rates of 3.63% in area, 5.61% in production, and 1.92% in productivity. CDVI indicates production (24.47%) is more inconsistent than area (14.63%) and productivity (19.26%). Decomposition analysis shows that area expansion (62.13%) contributed more to production growth than productivity (20.82%). Thus, to sustain production without increasing land use, productivity can be improved through better cultivation practices and technologies.