(Manila, 13th) Philippine Senator Imee Marcos yesterday called on relevant government agencies to prioritize banana production and research, warning that if proactive measures are not taken, the country's share in major export markets such as Japan and China could continue to decline.
Imee pointed out that the Philippine banana industry is facing multiple crises that cannot be resolved solely by market promotion, including high production costs, the long-standing threat of Panama disease, and unfavorable trade agreements, all of which have weakened the industry's competitiveness.
“Our problem is not whether we can sell, but whether we can produce,” she emphasized, stating that “produce, produce, and produce again” should be the strategic core, rather than relying on agricultural product imports.
Imee stressed that the banana industry is a key pillar of the national economy, supporting hundreds of thousands of families. She urged the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) to prioritize the prevention and control of diseases such as Panama disease, increase research investment, improve yield, technology, and innovation, reduce production costs, and provide production support to maintain the Philippines’ position in the global banana industry.
She specifically mentioned that Cavendish bananas, the main export variety of the Philippines, account for half of the nation's total output, creating 329,648 jobs and bringing in 42.3 billion pesos in wages annually.
“Behind these figures are countless families who depend on banana plantations for their livelihood, many of whom are struggling small farmers,” she said.
“Our problem is not whether we can sell, but whether we can produce,” she emphasized, stating that “produce, produce, and produce again” should be the strategic core, rather than relying on agricultural product imports.
Imee stressed that the banana industry is a key pillar of the national economy, supporting hundreds of thousands of families. She urged the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) to prioritize the prevention and control of diseases such as Panama disease, increase research investment, improve yield, technology, and innovation, reduce production costs, and provide production support to maintain the Philippines’ position in the global banana industry.
She specifically mentioned that Cavendish bananas, the main export variety of the Philippines, account for half of the nation's total output, creating 329,648 jobs and bringing in 42.3 billion pesos in wages annually.
“Behind these figures are countless families who depend on banana plantations for their livelihood, many of whom are struggling small farmers,” she said.