Smallholder banana farmers in Kalinga are set to benefit from a ₱ 13.2 million banana cardava consolidations and marketing enterprise.

The enterprise subproject inaugurated and turned over to the Daram-Cudal Multipurpose Cooperative (DCMPC) on August 14, 2021 was implemented under the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) and the Provincial Government of Kalinga.

The project was funded in a cost sharing scheme, 60% of the total investment cost came from the World Bank loan proceeds, 20% from the DA, and 20% from the provincial government of Kalinga. In kind/cash, the DCMPC shelled out another 20% as their counterpart.

As part of the enterprise, a P4.7 million worth banana consolidation and trading center, a trading capital amounting to P555,000, a forward truck, and other goods/materials such as crates, wash bins, plastic palettes and fabricated dryers, were also turned over to the cooperative.

DCMPC manager Juliana Salibad said that unlike corn, banana can be processed into ketchup and chips among others, and the leaves and trunks may also be used as plates and wrappers.

"Ang proyektong ito ay napapanahon dahil ang buong kasapian ng DCMPC ay isang daang porsiyentong magsasaka ng mais, at dahil sa proyektong ito, lahat ng mga kasapi ng kooperatiba ay nagtanim na ng saging mula noong 2018," Salibad expressed.

She added that the banana production area that was recorded three years ago has now tripled and the interventions they received will greatly help the cooperative to improve and uplift the livelihood of its members.

Kalinga Governor Ferdinand Tubban said that the turnover of the enterprise marks another milestone of the partnership of the DA, the PRDP, and the PLGU Kalinga in pursuit of agricultural development

DA-PRDP National Project Director Undersecretary Ariel T Cayanan also lauded the cooperative for sharing their simple analysis between corn and banana production, which led them to get a P13.20 million-worth subproject to aid their banana enterprise.

"Kumpleto na po ang ibinigay sa inyo ng gobyerno at ang natitira nalang ay ang pagpatakbo nito ng maayos at tuloy-tuloy," Usec Cayanan said.

Through the enterprise subproject, the banana farmer-members of the cooperative will be able to avail of technical services, post-harvest facilities, tools, and equipment to address the high cost of hauling and handling bananas and other related problems. Also, the price for banana produce is expected to be regulated which will eventually lead to increase in profitability.

The turnover rites were led by Kalinga LGU, Congressman Allen Jesse C. Mangaoang, officials from DA-PRDP and the office of Department of Agriculture in the region.
(Elvy Taquio Estacio | Joseph Manzano, RPN DZBS Baguio OIC)