Wednesday, April 30, 2008 Banana industry gets boost
"THE Department of Agriculture (DA) will give incentives to banana farmers who wish to expand their enterprise whether for domestic or international markets," said Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) director Joel Rudinas during the 4th National Banana Congress held at Grand Men Seng Hotel last week.
The congress was attended by about 200 farmers, technicians and local government units (LGUs) in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
Rudinas said DA is aiming to increase the banana production from 7.5 million metric tons of lakatan, latundan, bungulan and saba (cardaba) in 2007 to eight million metric tons this year.
"We extend our full support to further prop up the banana industry as it remains among one of the most important sectors of the Philippine agriculture and national economy," Rudinas said.
He added that banana industry provides much needed income and livelihood to Filipino farmers and their families. It also gives higher export revenues.
He said, last year from January to November, the DA sent some US$363 million worth of banana mostly to Japan and other markets. Banana chips became part of the region's top exports, earning a total of US$33.2 million and posted a growth rate of 29 percent last year. He added that the Philippines rank 5th in the world in terms of production after India, Brazil, China and Ecuador, while rank second banana exporter next to Ecuador.
Rudinas said the DA has opened up new areas for banana production mostly in Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao and Davao regions totaling 22,700 hectares. He added that this year, DA aims to till additional 23,500 hectares for banana production.
He said to ensure the availability and high quality planting materials, the DA has established production facilities such as foundation grove, nurseries, green houses and tissue culture laboratory in selected areas.
"We have built farm-to-market roads, irrigation systems, post harvest facilities and ports to ensure the efficient handing and marketing of the produce," Rudinas said.
He added that the Agriculture Department will provide planting materials for growers of lakatan and cardaba and will continue to teach farmers on integrated pest management, promote the use of organic fertilizers and other sustainable agriculture technologies.
"We expect the banana industry to figure more prominently in the years to come - and that Philippine bananas will solidify its niche as the best in the world," Rudinas said.
