In order to bring commercial cultivation of banana in Jammu and Kashmir, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), a premiere R&D organisation, has conceived a new biotechnology-driven programme to start commercial cultivation of bananas in the state.After a full trial and established tissue culture and agriculture practice, Dr Ram Vishwakarma, Director, IIIM, Jammu, today showcased bananas cultivated in the state.

Jammu Kashmir has long been known for its apples, walnuts, mangoes and saffron. The time has come for the state to be known for another fruit. According to Tribune India, for the first time an experiment of growing bananas in Jammu and Kashmir has succeeded with precision. Giving details of the experimental works involved in growing bananas by tissue culture technique, Dr Vishwakarma flanked by Desh Ratna, president, Agro Division and Narendra Brahmbhatt, general manager, Finance and Costing, Cadila Pharmaceutical Limited, Ahmedabad, said the samplings of this high-quality tissue culture variety known as G-9 Banana were cultivated on two acres in Jammu.

Here are a few things to know about these bananas:

• It is the fruit of hard work of the Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, IIIM Jammu. The bananas were created by a special technique called as Tissue Culture.
• The lucky bananas are called by the name Bhim Grand Naine (G-9) and are originally from Gujarat.
  The beloved fruit tree grew to a height of 6.5 to 7.5 feet and yielded 20-30 kg fruit.
• Cultivation of this banana would prove to be a profitable business as a crop in an acre of land would give a net return of approximately Rs 2.5 lakhs.
  The next goal of this banana is to be cultivated in Kashmir from 2018 onwards.