Indian Research Center set to release low-glycemic banana variety for diabetics

INDIA – The National Research Center for Banana (NRCB) in Tiruchirappalli has announced plans to release a new low-glycemic banana variety designed for consumers with diabetes.

The banana, which has already received approval from the State Approval Committee, is now awaiting final clearance from the Central Government.

The upcoming banana variety has a glycemic index of 51, significantly lower than the average of 70 found in most existing banana types. This makes it particularly suitable for individuals managing diabetes.

“This new variety is a significant breakthrough for our center and offers a healthier option for those needing to monitor their blood sugar levels,” stated Dr. R. Selvarajan, Director of NRCB, during the Centre’s 31st Foundation Day and Kisan Mela event last week.

During the celebration, Dr. Selvarajan also highlighted the NRCB’s recent achievements, including the release of other notable banana varieties like Kaveri Kanchan, known for its high carotenoid content, and Kaveri Vaman, a dwarf variety ideal for terrace gardening.

Additionally, the NRCB has developed Grand Naine mutants that are resistant to the Fusarium wilt TR 4 pathogen, a major disease affecting banana plants.

The NRCB is not just focused on research but also on practical applications for farmers. The center has started commercial production of tissue culture plants for the newly released varieties and plans to expand this initiative in the coming months.

The event was attended by several distinguished guests, including Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Chairperson of the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPV&FRA).

He praised the NRCB for its efforts in banana research and development and underscored the importance of precision agriculture.

“Precision farming can significantly reduce the environmental footprint of banana cultivation, and the technologies developed by NRCB should be adopted at the grassroots level,” he emphasized.

Dr. Mohapatra also announced that the NRCB has been designated as a field gene bank for conserving banana germplasm, a crucial step in preserving the genetic diversity of this important crop. This initiative will receive significant funding from the PPV&FRA.

Other speakers, such as Dr. V. Palanimuthu, Director of NIFTEM, Thanjavur, encouraged farmers to capitalize on the schemes available for value addition in banana farming.

He highlighted the export potential within the banana sector and stressed the importance of product development and marketing.

Dr. V. Venkatasubramanian, Director of ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Bengaluru, spoke on the need to engage youth in agriculture and agri-entrepreneurship. He also emphasized the importance of branding farmers’ products to enhance marketability.

The event concluded with an award ceremony recognizing the contributions of various stakeholders, including farmers, entrepreneurs, and technical staff.

Among the awards presented were Best Banana Farmer and Best Farmer Producer Organization, underscoring the importance of community and innovation in the banana sector.