The Department of Agriculture (DA) said it will focus on increasing production of bananas and pineapples as they are seen to provide farmers with higher income.
The DA said the two fruit crops and other traditional and emerging high value crops have high export potential.
“We enjoy a comparative advantage in banana and pineapple, and for this reason, we at the DA invest in the development of the high-value crops subsector through our High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP). Undoubtedly, high-value crops can provide farmers and their families, entrepreneurs and other players in the agriculture value chain sustainable income,” said DA Secretary William Dar.
Last year, the HVCDP provided farmers and other industry stakeholders with support services and assistance in terms of production, extension, education, training, research and development, agricultural machinery, equipment, facilities and irrigation.
In 2021, the HVCDP had a total funding of P3.2 billion, of which P1.8 billion came from the regular budget while the remaining P1.4 billion came from supplemental budget under Bayanihan 2.
Citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, DA said that in 2019, Philippine banana exports reached $1.95 billion, $1.64 B in 2020 and roughly $920 million from January to October 2021.
Meanwhile exports of pineapple products including canned, juice and concentrates amounted to more than $300 million from January to October 2021.
“Further, we will maintain our position as a major exporter of banana by containing the Panama disease and exploring more markets for our pineapple. In partnership with the private sector and farmers’ groups, we will intensify our efforts in promoting crops with high export potentials like mango, cacao, coffee, rubber and okra,” Dar added.
The DA is looking forward to more exports of fresh Cavendish bananas to Japan after it recently lifted the 100- percent mandatory testing for Philippine banana exports. There are now 82 local companies exempt from the full inspection after showing high level of compliance to the set audit criteria and all phytosanitary requirements imposed by Japan.
Dar said the Philippines also has a comparative advantage in abaca having the distinction of being recognized as the world’s largest and leading producer, supplying 85 percent of global requirements.
Dar said if given adequate budgetary support and investments, abaca’s export revenues could grow exponentially in succeeding years as the crop only earned an average of $97 million in exports during the last decade.
The DA said the Philippines is also among the top producers and exporters of natural rubber in the world, shipping out more than 158,300 metric tons in 2020 worth P4.87 billion ($97.4 million).
To improve these figures, the Philippine Rubber Research Institute is implementing projects that would beef up production for both domestic and export markets by promoting modern and innovative rubber tree farming technologies, distribution of high-quality planting materials and provision of extension and technical services.
The DA said these initiatives are piloted in both traditional and in mining areas where at least five hectares each site has been planted to 5,000 trees to showcase and commercialize mature technologies. – J. Macapagal
