Sunday, March 11, 2007 Banana powder project stopped
THE banana powder project of Upper Tamayong Multi-Purpose Cooperative (UTMPC) in Tamayong, Calinan, Davao City was discontinued because drying bananas just isn't a profitable activity in such a high-altitude barangay.
Throughout the implementation of the project, it took longer for the chopped bananas to dry. Longer drying period mean higher expenses. Several efforts have been made to repair the dryer to conform to the climate's condition but were futile.
According to Elizabeth B. Caparo, the Municipal Agrarian Reform Officer (Maro) of Calinan, the banana powder project which was expected to generate employment and additional income to UTMPC was not able to take off as expected. Some prospect-buyers have already even visited the place to inquire about the banana powder.
As of press time, the hammer mill for the banana powder has been turned over to the Biao Multi Purpose Cooperative (BMC) located in Talandang, Tugbok, Davao city.
BMC is a beneficiary of a 175-hectare land under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program .
The area is mostly planted to bananas under leasehold agreement.
The banana powder project, in coordination with the Dept. of Trade and Industry is under the Dept. of Agrarian Reform-Asian Development Bank-Agrarian Reform Communities Project (DAR ADB ARCP).
The objective is to provide livelihood projects that would increase income for the agrarian reform beneficiaries (Arbs) by using raw materials found abundant in their locality.
