“We have very high expectations for this project,” affirms Stephen Antig. “Logically, the government will start by identifying the growers affected and the extent of the damage.” It is worth noting that the current situation as regards the disease, which has the potential to have a major impact on production areas, “It is still manageable.”
So far, the PBGEA had already introduced a series of measures to help banana growers in the Philippines, including coordination with the government in the task force organised to tackle the issue. “We are strong in the IEC area. In fact, we assisted the government in coming up with the protocol as well as the IEC materials on how to identify and control the spread of PD,” states Stephen Antig.
Stopping the spread of the PD is considered an issue of paramount importance for the Philippine banana industry, as according to Stephen Antig, “Some are even predicting that, were no measures to be taken, it could lead to the downfall or demise of the entire industry.” For its part, the sector, which has China as its main export destination, aims not just to boost production volumes, but also to improve the quality of the bananas being exported overseas.
For more information:Stephen Antig
PBGEA (Philippines)
Tel: +63 82- 227-7771
Email: admin@pbgea.com
www.pbgea.com