A new banana variety, the Kaveri Kalki, has been obtained from the Alliance Bioversity International and CIAT in India.

The unique banana variety of ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana, Tiruchirappalli, is not prone to lodging. 

The license for mass multiplication of the variety was transferred to M/s. Shankar Bio-tech, Krishnagiri, for faster adoption by the farmers.

The plant is dwarf-statured at 2-2.4 meters in height compared to Karpuravalli has 4 meters. Plant stature is robust and sturdy with short leaves and suitable for high-density planting. It needs no propping, so the cultivation cost is reduced by 10% to 15 %. The average bunch has 13- 15 hands and 16-18 fruits per hand, potentially yielding up to 25 kg. It exhibits the shortest duration of 12 months compared with 15 months for Karpuravalli, hence suitable for the annual cropping system. This variety is ideal for cultivation in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal, Assam, Karnataka, Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands.

India has increased considerably its banana exports to Iran and other countries in the Persian Gulf in recent years, taking market share from Latin American countries.