The Department of Agriculture in Davao Region (DA-11) has gathered key stakeholders to strengthen the growth and competitiveness of the Cardava banana sector.
In a statement Wednesday, DA-11 regional technical director Marie Ann Constantino underscored the importance of creating direct linkages across the banana value chain.
“Such initiatives pave the way for sustainable enterprise development, enabling the region’s Cardava banana industry to thrive both domestically and in the global market,” Constantino said.
The forum, held on Sept. 26, brought together smallholder banana farmers, farmer cooperatives and associations (FCAs), and agricultural technicians from different local government units (LGUs).
The activity served as a venue to assess the industry’s current state, introduce improved technologies, and highlight new investment and market opportunities.
Notable buyers such as Gerb Golden Hands Corporation and SAGREX Foods Inc. also joined the forum, providing insights on market demand, quality standards, and pricing strategies.
“Their engagement allowed producers to better understand buyer requirements, paving the way for stronger supplier-buyer partnerships,” Constantino added.
Among the recent milestones in the industry is the international market access achieved by the Ata Paquibato Tribal Association (APATA), an Indigenous Peoples’ group that shipped 1,593 kilograms of Cardava bananas to See’s International Food Manufacturing Corporation in August.
With DA’s support, the shipment was facilitated through Kadiwa trucks and delivered directly to See’s factory in Barangay Bunawan, Davao City.
Cardava bananas, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), thrive in various soil types except sandy or rocky areas and grow best in warm, humid climates.
The variety has also been identified as a priority commodity under DTI’s RAPID (Rural Agro-Enterprise Partnership for Inclusive Development and Growth) project, which is supported by the International Fund for Agricultural Development. The program aims to raise rural incomes by strengthening value chains in key agribusinesses.