Value Added Studies in Banana as a Commercial Enterprise

Banana being a highly perishable fruit, suffers from high post-harvest losses to the extent of about 30 to 40 per cent. Among the several techniques available for preservation or processing of banana, dehydration is widely adopted technique for banana and also banana processing industry to take advantage of market opportunities, consequently contribute to the improvement of living standards of farmers by improving employment opportunities. With this connection a study was conduct to estimate the recovery percentage, cost of investment and returns of banana processing products like banana crisps and banana papads. With respect to papads, average papad recovery was 36 kg per every 100kg of banana. Whereas in case of crisps, average dried crisps recovery is 45 kg per every 100 kg of banana. In case of Net returns and benefit cost ratio from banana crisps is Rs. 2725.00 and 2.53:1 respectively, whereas with respect to banana papads, net returns and benefit cost ratio is Rs. 5716.00 and 4.85:1 respectively.