Philippines intensifies efforts to enhance banana exports

The Department of Agriculture (DA) in the Philippines is ramping up efforts to support the banana industry as it tackles challenges like Panama disease and tough competition in international markets. Agriculture Undersecretary Cheryl Marie Natividad-Caballero emphasized the department's focus on research to develop banana varieties resistant to Panama disease. Field trials for these disease-resistant bananas are already in progress in Mindanao, Visayas, and Luzon.

Panama disease has significantly impacted banana farming, affecting around 17,000 hectares and reducing the competitiveness of Philippine bananas. To address this, the DA is providing financial assistance to rehabilitate farms and establish new banana plantations, offering farmers credit of up to P450,000 per hectare (approx. $8,086.50 USD). The department is also investing in research on crop nutrition and integrated pest management to improve banana production.

Small-scale banana farmers are receiving additional support, including help in securing Philippine Good Agricultural Practices (PhilGAP) certifications and access to biological pest control methods. The DA plans to increase funding for its high-value crops program, which includes setting up tissue culture centers to produce high-quality banana planting materials. Farmers affected by Fusarium wilt are being encouraged to diversify their crops, with assistance provided to grow alternatives like Hass avocados and durian.

To strengthen the industry’s position in global markets, the DA is working to improve trade agreements, aiming to reduce tariffs on banana exports. The department is also addressing the challenge of maintaining market share in key export destinations such as Japan, South Korea, and China, where competition is intensifying. Despite these challenges, Philippine banana exports showed slight growth last year, reaching 2.35 million tons.

source: philstar.com

photo: asiafarming.com