Davao’s Tribal Folks Grow Organic Banana for Export
Residing near the foot of Mt. Apo, the Philippines’ tallest peak, the tribe grows super sweet organic banana. Hernan Ambe, operations manager of Sibulan Organic Banana Growers Multipurpose Cooperative (SOBAGROMCO), said they are using the Bungulan variety, because it can thrive well under organic environment. The ‘fingers of the fruit grow up to 14 inches in length, longer than the Cavendish variety which is traditionally exported.
Ambe, a Bagobo-Tagabawa native and a barangay councilor, said that the Foundation for Agrarian Reform Cooperatives in Mindanao, Inc. (Farmcoop), a non-government organization established in 1995 to help the government implement the agrarian reform law, was instrumental in engaging his fellow natives to grow organic banana.
“When the idea of growing Bungulan banana under coconut trees was introduced to us, it did not take us long to be convinced of its huge benefits. First, organic farming is culturally and traditionally acceptable among our tribal elders. Secondly, it does not require us to sacrifice our coconut trees which have been our major source of income for years,” Ambe added.
He also said that organic banana production in Sibulan, which has the blessing of their tribal council, covers 70 hectares. Owned by a number of families who have put up their lands as capital share, the plantation is divided into three two areas with 20 hectares each and one with 30 hectares.
ALL NATURAL
Growing organic banana is difficult as no chemicals can be used to control pests and diseases and to improve plant nutrition. The Sibulan farmers, however, were able to produce organic fertilizers and pesticides.
Instead of applying expensive inorganic fertilizer, they used fish amino acids and organic compost which is made out of farm wastes such as banana trunks, rejected banana fingers, cow dung, and horse manure. They also practiced vermiculture; they used African nightcrawler to produce vermicast, which is another source of organic fertilizer. For plants to have adequate supply of calcium, animal bones are ground and mixed with organic fertilizer.
The farmers also used fermented plant juices (FPJ) to control pests and diseases. FPJ comes in a variety such as a concoction of panyawan or makabuhay plants (Tinosopora crispa), and siling labuyo (Capsicum frutescens). The juice
of the plants is extracted and fermented with beer and crude sugar. The farmers use this blend to fortify microbial activities and shield the plants against insects. It also helps in enhancing plant growth.
MORE DISTINCTION
SOBAGROMCO had made its first shipment of organic banana with the brand name Ecofair to Japan in 2005. Even if the volume of the shipment was not much, Ecofair banana is becoming prominent as the demand for organic banana continues to increase. This is because Japanese find it tastier and more aromatic, and it also has a longer shelf life.
Ambe also said that Ecofair banana is being sold as high $3.30 per 13.5 kilogram box, while Japanese buy other bananas at $2.50 per box.
Moreover, Ecofair banana is packed following the required proper labeling and bar coding. This is part of food safety and good agricultural practices guidelines that ensures traceability within the supply chain. In this way, consumers, particularly those in Japan, are assured of the product’s safety and quality.
Presently, the SOBAGROMCO is working on an organic certification from German-based EcoCert. This means that Ecofair bananas may gain another distinction in the market for this certification, which may be given early this year, will further boost the market potential of Ecofair and convince Japan that the bananas are indeed organically grown.
“The preyailing price of our banana in Japan is $2.50 per box, but if we can have the Ecocert certification, we can sell our Sibulan bananas up to $5 per box,” Ambe said.
There is also a great possibility that they could have access to other markets. once they get the certification from EcoCert. Recent reports from the Food and Agriculture Organization shows that globally, the largest demand for organic bananas comes from Europe and United States, and Japan and Canada’s import volume are not far behind. The report further revealed that organic banana has a very promising “sunrise” market with a growth rate of approximately 30 percent per annum.
PRODUCTION EXPANSION
Due to the increasing demand for organic banana, the SOBAGROMCO is planning to expand their 70-hectare plantation to at least 250 hectares. Ambe is optimistic that they can do this within five years. However, production expansion requires more facilities. According to Ambe, their cooperative needs road network and additional hauling trucks to transport produce from remote areas.
“In August 2007, we have incurred huge losses as 250 boxes of bananas ready for export were damaged when our hauling truck slipped into the mud. If we have better roads and more hauling trucks, such losses can be avoided,” Ambe said.
Aware that organic banana could grab a bigger share in the current world demand for organic fruits, Department of Agriculture Regional Director Roger Chio is endorsing the SOBAGROMCO to access the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF). As of this writing, the cooperative has already submitted its letter of intent to avail of DA’s soft-loan program. Chio said his office, through the High Value Commercial Crops (HVCC) program, is willing to extend assistance.
“The success of SOBAGROMCO is impressive because it has proven that organic farming can indeed work. Considering the growing concern for food safety is increasing, organic banana will surely carve a niche in the global market,” Chio said.
The Davao natives have placed our local Bungulan banana into the highest level of global organic fruits category. For Ambe and the rest of the Tigabawa tribe, their organic banana production has placed their community into a better state.
“Organic banana production has changed the people in our community. Unlike before when most of us are just inside our houses waiting for time to pass by, now, we are busy tending to our farms or getting involved with the cooperatives business operations,” says Lilibeth one of the cooperative’s staff members.
“From subsistence farming, organic banana production has made our life a lot better. Before, most of the residents here can barely eat three meals a day, now we can look forward to regular income,” Ambe added.
