VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS FOR BANANA IN AP Present status AP stands first in the nation in banana cultivation with 2.6 lakh acres under cultivation with 64 lakh MT production. Rayalseema with Pulivendala as hub emerged as major cultivator of Robusta variety (green banana). The other varieties grown in the state are Chekkarakeli, Karpuram, and Amruthapani. Certain pockets in Krishna-Godavari delta, Nandyal area of Kurnool and Salur area of Vijayanagaram are known for growing these varieties.     About 25000 MT of green banana from Rayalseema region is getting exported to Middle East and still have great export potential. Progressive farmers from Rayalseema with moral support from late YSR could break the dominance of Nanded variety in Delhi market and penetrated to north markets through Delhi. The advantage of Rayalseema green banana to Nanded variety is its keeping quality, as it is grown in red soils with scanty rain fall. Existing markets:       ...