LITCHI AND BANANA PROCESSING

Litchi Processing

At around 2 lac MT of production, Bihar accounts for almost 75 % of
national production of this delicious fruit.Most sought after produce of the State in both national and international market, Lithci offers an unparalleled range of processing opportunities.
This highly perishable fruit requires a specific climate and soil condition,found in the area around Muzaffarpur district which remains focal point of litchi production in the country.
The Brand “ Muzaffarpur Litchi” commands a special respect in the fresh as well as processed fruit segments.

Banana ripening and processing

Around 10 lac MT of Banana produced over 28 thousand Ha of land.Two major production clusters, around Bhagalpur and Vaishali, account for almost 50 % of state production. With hub at Naugachia, Bhagalpur region produces more than 2 Lac MT of Hari Chaal and Robusta
varieties. The second cluster around Vaishali region produces more than 2.5 Lac MT of Muthia and Chinia varieties. Banana offers significant opportunities for both fresh and processed
food market. There are opportunities of setting up modern ripening chambers for catering to premium national and international market.There may also be scope for processing units for making Pulp, baby food, banana fibre, packing material, banana flower vegetables(Ready
to eat), banana trunk vegetables & pickles. Processed Banana is picking up fast with the South Indian market.

New markets are emerging in the gulf countries and middle east.Limited period of harvesting season and high perishability of litchi makes it imperative for all litchi processors to have their facilities near to production centres in the State which are also well connected to major markets over the years. .Litchi is amenable to processing of various levels and entrepreneurs may choose to set up Units for Pulp, juice, nectar, beverage, jam, jelly, pulp slabs, etc. In terms of diversification, Banana Fiber (trunk and leaves) has a scope as well as a good market as one of the diversified textile fibres. Naugachia, being a district in the near vicinity of Bhagalpur ( textile hub of Bihar) has an added advantage for setting up fibre extraction and yarning units, over and above food processing.