Philippines: Banana growers cut down plants in rice row
The contract, according to Gil Piquero, speaking for the farmers, was that Don Bosco shouls provide full financing and technological assistance, whilst the farmers provide the labour and maintenance costs.
"Ours was a prenda-arendo contract and we have agreed to plant organic rice only. Now, why are they forcing us to plant bananas?" Piquero said.
Don Bosco officials have stated that the switch to bananas has come about as a result of losses incurred in the production of rice of late.
Piquero says that the problem is that the farmers can no longer wait for the banana plants to bear fruit.
After meetings failed to reach a solution the growers cut down all the banana trees.
Don Bosco is a non-government organization based in Batasan village, Makilala town. The foundation is known for its advocacy on organic farming and has been into merchandizing of organic farm products. It owns the Bios Dynamis Organic centers in the cities of Kidapawan, Davao and Manila.
Source: davaodtoday.com
