A long-running dry spell in the Philippines this year has hit the country’s banana production levels, dropping volumes by 25 per cent to date on the same time last year.
That’s the figure given by Stephen Antig, executive director of industry body the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA).
“Hopefully, a recovery will be seen during the second half of 2010,” he forecast for Fruitnet.com.
“To work around the lower water availability, the growers can improve existing irrigation system into more efficient ones.
“Irrigation water rationing can also be implemented. Cultural practices such as mulching will also help in moisture conservation in the field.”
Mr Antig, who moved from a long-time role as PBGEA’s president to his current position as executive director on 17 May, says the industry has also been under pressure from consumers to grow in more environmentally friendly ways.
The willingness of consumers to pay a price premium for organic production, however, it not as equally forthcoming.
“The demand for organic bananas would appear to be just a niche market. But we are doing a lot of experiments and trials with organic produce,” he said.
“So far, only very few have been able to attain commercial level. It is really very difficult to break even with purely organic processes and inputs. `There are` growing pressures from environmentalists. I believe this is a growing phenomenon worldwide.”
