Friday, August 31, 2007 Mindanao, leading producer of quality bananas: DA
MINDANAO is one of the leading producers and exporters of quality bananas in the global market.
Out of the 16 regions in the country, Southern Mindanao registers the highest volume of banana production accounting to about 34.93% followed by Socsargen with 25.04%.
Department of Agriculture (DA) 11 executive director Roger Chio said the government envisions the banana industry to sustain as a leading exporter in the region, strengthen food security as one of the 10-point agenda of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and improve socio-economic status of all stakeholders.
According to the data from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) Committee on the formulation of the National Strategic Plan for the Banana Industry, about 123 countries grow banana. India, Escuador, Brazil and China account for half of the world's production.
However, in the 1990s, the Asian region took the lead in banana production.
Large plantations are growing 'cavendish' types of export in Mindanao. Banana industry contributes 40% of the gross products in fruits, amounting to P13.15 billion.
A road map for banana industry (2005-2010) is being established by UPLB to increase export of Cavendish, Lakatan and Latundan bananas by four percent per year; and develop export markets for other cultivars and market for organic banana. (PIA/RB Palacio)
