Kamalapur Red Banana facts for kids

The Kamalapur Red Banana is a special type of red banana. It grows only in the Kamalapur village valley and nearby areas in Kalaburagi district, Karnataka, India. People sometimes call it a "rich man's fruit." This is because it costs more than other bananas. Farmers use a lot of compost, water, and workers to grow it.

This banana has a red skin, but its inside is creamy. It tastes very good. It is also a healthy food because it has many calories and vitamins C and B6.

The Indian government protects this special fruit. It is registered under a law called the Geographical Indications Act. This means only bananas grown in Kamalapur can be called "Kamalapur Red Banana." This also means that scientists are not allowed to change this banana using genetic engineering. It belongs only to the farmers of Kamalapur.

Where it Grows

The Kamalapur Red Banana grows in Kamalapur and nearby villages like Rajanal and Navanihal. It covers an area of about 100 hectares (250 acres). This banana grows best on hill slopes in valleys. The hills around the valley protect the tall banana plants from strong storms. This special banana cannot be grown on flat land.

The plants grow well with natural rainfall in hot and humid weather. If they are grown in lower areas, farmers use special watering methods like furrow irrigation or drip irrigation. The soil where it grows is red and loamy. Locals call this soil "halubilapu," which means "clay soil." It is a shallow soil that drains water easily. The area usually gets about 777 millimetres (30.6 in) of rain each year.

What it Looks Like and How it Grows

The Kamalapur Red Banana plant has a strong stem. It grows very tall, reaching about 22 to 25 feet (6.7 to 7.6 m) high. The base of the plant is about 3 to 3.2 feet (0.91 to 0.98 m) around. The plant has shades of green and yellow. Its leaves are long and brittle, with a greenish-yellow color.

The plant starts to grow flowers and fruits in about 10 to 11 months. The fruits then take about 7 to 8 months to ripen. The bananas are ready to be picked in about 18 months. Each plant usually gives about 15 to 20 kilograms of bananas. This means about 11 tons of bananas per acre. These plants are usually safe from pests. The banana's skin is a moderate red color, and its inside is creamy and tastes good.

Farmers plant the bananas in holes that are 50 centimetres (20 in) wide and 50 centimetres (20 in) deep. They fill the holes with ash, compost, neem leaves, topsoil, and other natural fertilizers. Then, they plant the banana shoots about two weeks later. The plants are spaced about 7 feet apart.

A new way of planting, inspired by methods in Israel, has been adopted in India. This new method allows farmers to plant more bananas in the same area. They can now plant 1,710 plants per acre instead of 1,210. This has helped farmers get about 20 tons more bananas per acre. Farmers usually plant in August or September. Before planting, they dip the young banana shoots in cow dung water. This helps prevent diseases. Farmers also remove extra shoots every 45 days. The whole process, from planting to picking, takes about 18 months.

There are no special ways to keep these bananas fresh for a long time after picking. However, farmers sometimes put the banana bunches in sealed rooms with burning incense. This helps the fruit ripen faster.

Healthy Benefits

Scientists at the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) have studied the Kamalapur Red Banana. They found that it has more calcium, iron, potassium, and fiber than other types of bananas. It also has a lot of calories and vitamins C and B6, making it a very healthy fruit.

A university department in Bangalore helps make sure the quality of these bananas is good.

Support for Farmers

The Horticulture department encourages farmers to grow more of this special banana. They give farmers certified seeds at lower prices. They also offer other help to support the farmers.