Tuesday, October 10, 2006 Banana industry won't die without aerial spray By Mary Grace Plata
THE banana industry will not die if present plantation operators will opt to leave once the city bans aerial spraying. Several local and foreign investors, in fact, would just love to take their place.
In a press conference Monday called by those against aerial spraying, economist and businessman Gico Dayanghirang said these investors are willing to use sustainable, environmental, and health-friendly agricultural practices that will not endanger the public.
"Contrary to reports, the banana industry will not die as a result of banning aerial spraying. That is economic blackmail," Dayanghirang said.
Among those claiming that a ban on aerial spraying will spell the end of the dollar-earning banana industry in the city are the Pilipino Banana Growers Exporters Association Inc. (PBGEA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Southern Mindanao.
Dayanghirang cites the province of Bukidnon as example against the claims of PBGEA and DTI, saying that the province stopped aerial spraying for almost five years now and yet their banana plantation continue to thrive and prosper.
"If they can't afford to give in to what the public wants, then its better they leave. Many wishes to replace them," Dayanghirang said.
According to Dayanghirang, an overhead sprinkler system is a good alternative to aerial spraying.
Unlike aerial spraying where the wind tends to scatter the chemicals all over, the sprinkler system gets the chemicals to the banana plant directly since it is installed on ground. "That is why the outcome is more cheaper," he said.
"There is no economic argument favoring aerial spray. Development that kills people and degrades their way of life is not and should never be an option," Dayanghirang said.
As earlier reported, banana plantations that used aerial spraying in the city account for just around five percent of the total area planted to bananas.
Majority of the bananas planted in the city are cardaba -- the banana specie that is processed into banana chips. These do not use aerial spray.
Aerial spraying is only employed by those producing Cavendish bananas in the city.
This further reinforces arguments that banning aerial spraying will not cripple the city's agricultural earnings.
