Prelims: Current events of national importance | Science & Technology
Why in News?
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research’s National Research Centre for Banana (ICAR-NRCB), Tamil Nadu, has officially released two new banana varieties.
Kaveri Thangam
- Nutritional Enrichment- It is a biofortified, premium-quality variety rich in Provitamin A, offering nearly 10 times higher Vitamin A than conventional banana varieties.
- Physical Traits - Features a characteristic golden yellow pulp, firm texture, and unique aroma.
- Enhanced Shelf-Life- Possesses a post-harvest shelf life of 15 days.
- Pest Resistance - Demonstrates natural resistance to banana weevils.
Kaveri Nadan
- High Yielding Potential - Capable of yielding up to 75 tonnes per hectare, effectively providing almost double the yield of traditional Nadan varieties.
- Farmer Income Security - Designed to significantly enhance farm productivity and mitigate production risks under fluctuating climatic conditions.
About ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana (ICAR-NRCB)
- Establishment - Established in 1993 under the aegis of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
- Headquarters- Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu.
- Mandate
- Conducts basic and strategic research on crop improvement, biotechnology, natural resource management, and crop protection for banana and plantain.
- Develops post-harvest handling technologies, value-added products, and export-oriented protocols (such as export pipelines for Nendran bananas).
- Innovates climate-smart agricultural technology, including AI and sensor-based micro-irrigation systems to conserve water during extreme events like Super El Niño.
Reference
The Hindu | ICAR-NRCB releases two new varieties of banana
