Small banana growers in the Philippines are pushing for the founding of a Banana Industry Council. According to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Federation of Cooperatives (Fedco) in Mindanao, Ireneo Dalayon, it is now high time to push for support for the small banana farmers.
He said that compared to the big industry players like the Philippine Banana growers and exporters Association (PBGEA), that are multinational companies, the small banana players are seeking help from the National Government which can be realized, in a way, by putting up a council.
Around 60 to 70 percent of small farmers and growers only tend to a hectare each.
With the National Banana Research Center that is proposed to be built in Davao, the small corporations will unite to help with banana disease control and management measures which affect them less because of the organic materials they used.
This National Banana Research Center will not only cover the Cavendish Banana but also the other native bananas like cardava, tundan, and lakatan.
Moreover, Dalayon said that a council should have an allocation budget from the government and should be well represented by exporters, farmers and cooperatives from the regional level until it will be discussed further in the national level.
“We have to improve our quality of bananas so we can explore more the local industry,” he added.
Source: sunstar.com.ph
