Philippines announces government aid for banana industry

The Philippines’ Department of Agriculture has announced stronger government support for the country’s banana sector, unveiling a package of interventions to fight the spread of Panama disease and restore competitiveness in global markets. Speaking at the 32nd Joint General Assembly of the Philippine Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) and the Banana Export Industry Foundation (BEIF), agriculture secretary Francisco P Tiu Laurel Jr called for closer collaboration between the government and the private sector to revive the industry, which has been battered by both biological and market challenges. He cited the spread of Fusarium wilt tropical race 4 – also known as Panama disease – as the industry’s most urgent threat. The disease has already affected around 15,500ha in the Davao Region, endangering the Cavendish variety that serves as the backbone of Philippine banana exports. “The Department of Agriculture is firmly committed to supporting our banana farmers and ...