The malbhog, considered to be the finest variety of banana found in Vaishali district of Bihar, is on the road to extinction. Soil infertility, fungal diseases, unscientific farming practices have takes their toll on the quality, and even quantities are down. Currently, only 10 hectares (ha) of land are under malbhog cultivation as compared to 100-120 ha in the early nineties.

In spite of the warnings issued by the Banana Research Centre at Hariharpur, Bihar, no precautionary steps have been taken by the government. Farmers don't want to give up malbhog as it is a profitable cashcrop, but monoculture farming technique has depleted the soil of nutrients and resistance to the fungus causing the Panama Wilt disease. The disease has affected malbhog as well as other traditional varieties like alpan and kathua. If prevention steps are not taken immediately, malbhog cultivation may be wiped out from the area very soon.

Virupakshi or hill banana of Tamil Nadu is also facing extinction because of a disease caused by the bunchy top pest. In the lower plains of the state, the crop is almost wiped out because of the disease prevalent throughout the year. The disease also threat-ens other banana varieties growing in the plains. Quoting scientists. The Hindu (March 15, 1996) reported that due to the disease the total area under banana cultivation in Dindigul Anna District has shrunk to 1,124 ha in 1996 from 3,204 ha in 1993.