Gut to invest in unfamiliar crop
Before engaging in bigger-scale banana enterprise, in 2003, Eddie ventured on dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus) production out of 30 stem cuttings, even not knowing yet the real value of the crop. At that time, the plant was relatively unknown in the Philippine market. But in many other countries the dragon fruit was already popular for its several health benefits and economic value, and so dubbed as the 21st century’s “king of fruits”. Eddie says that the fruit is popular among Chinese because “it contains lycophene, which is a natural anti-oxidant known to fight cancer and heart diseases, lowers the blood pressure, and improves the eyesight”. Despite of this little knowledge on the plant’s production requirement and the crop’s marketability, still he pursued producing the “king of fruits”. Relying on his natural instincts and insights, Eddie invested much and cashed in on this unfamiliar fruit.
Today, his 2-ha plantation could not cope with the growing demands for dragon fruits of customers from Tagaytay and Metro Manila. A great portion of Eddie’s produce is sold to Chinese traders in Metro Manila. Tagaytay also demands for about 1,000-2,000 kg of fruits per week, sold at P50/kg to traders who in turn sell them at P200/kg. Asked why the great difference in prices? Eddie intimated, “For me, it does not matter, as long as the demands are in bulk and that they keep coming”. For a man who is contented, it is definitely no big deal. Why wouldn’t he be contented when customers and cash pour in from June up to October yearly?
Going into bananas
Being a risk-taker and a business-minded farmer, Eddie engages not only dragon fruit, but also in papaya, bananas, and many more. And one of his major farming businesses is on banana production.
Simply with gut feel, he has also decided putting all his marbles on bananas – the popular, saleable, and the Filipinos’ well-loved fruit.
“Even if I won’t be chosen as a cooperator, I am still going to plant and grow bananas,” declared Eddie during the selection of cooperators for the project on “Investment Package for the Production of Quality Fresh Banana Fruits”. This project is supported by PCARRD and implemented by the Cavite State University and the local governments of Batangas and Cavite. The project aims to blend technological intervention with proper marketing system and an appropriate organizational structure to develop modern and sustainable smallholder banana farms in Luzon. These farms are expected to boost the supply of fresh bananas to meet the needs of the local market and the banana chip processors.
The dedication and commitment Eddie had shown in his farming venture on dragon fruit, made easy for the project team members to select Mr. Silan as one cooperator of the banana project.
Surely, Eddie was selected cooperator and has allotted 1.5 ha of his farm for the banana project. In this area, he has committed to apply the project-prescribed package of technologies (POT) for ‘Lakatan’ which included the use of disease-free planting materials, proper field management practices, desuckering, deleafing, use of propping materials, fruit bagging, proper time of harvesting, proper postharvest handling, and use of appropriate packaging materials. With the application of the POT in Eddie’s farm, Dr. Feliciano Calora, a member of PCARRD’s Governing Council and the project’s review panel in Mr. Silan’s farm, was impressed with the growth and development of the banana plantation and rated it 95%. Other evaluators of the project rated the farm 99%, affirming the good fruit of Eddie’s dedication, commitment, and innovativeness in his banana farming venture.
Growing bananas, growing alliance and support
Mr. Silan dedicatedly pursued the banana project with the various partners inside and outside Cavite.
Along with the promised support of PCARRD came other assistance from other government and R&D institutions. Technical support came in the form of trainings, demos, pest and disease identification and diagnosis, monitoring and evaluation, and many others. These support were extended by the Cavite Provincial Agriculturist’s Office, Cavite State University (CvSU), and University of the Philippines Los Baños.
As Eddie’s plants started growing, so was his local network. His efforts were not left unnoticed. Former Cavite Governor Juanito Remulla encouraged Eddie to put up a farmers organization that would help them modernize agriculture in the province. He promised to morally and financially support the group.
This encouragement gave birth to the Cavite Modern Growers, Inc. (CMGI), which started out with only 28 members in 2006. By July 2007, CMGI membership has already grown to 922. To support this fledging organization, PCARRD also provided banana planting materials, along with other inputs, which were expected to propagated to supply the planting material requirements of the organization.
Likewise, Cong. Jesus Crispin Remulla of the Third District of Cavite also donated seeds and tractor support to CMGI. This is to help achieve the Cong. Remulla’s vision of making the province a fruit- and vegetable-basket in Luzon.
But despite the overwhelming support, PCARRD and Eddie’s partnership was not without problems. And these problems proved PCARRD’s commitment to helping out its partners overcome difficulties and become better through “thick and thin”.
Through “thick and thin”
In growing bananas, one of the most potentially devastating problems besides pests and diseases is the occurrence of typhoons. In Eddie’s case, typhoons came not just once but three times, testing the resolve of Eddie as well as PCARRD’s.
Typhoon Caloy came in May 2006, battering 40% of the plants, some were already fruiting. For Eddie, the first salvo may have battered his plants but he was sure that he would bounce back. PCARRD promised to help rehabilitate the plants and assure more assistance.
Then, came Typhoon Florita, bringing down 200 plants in July of 2006. Most of the inputs and support from PCARRD had already been delivered but the storm pushed further back the project’s production schedule. This did not deter the project from moving on and coping with the effects of the storm.
But it seems that the two previous storms were just a warm up to the most devastating typhoon that year. Typhoon Milenyo cut down 2,000 plants in September. At that time, Eddie was already harvesting some fruits, making it even more difficult to accept. But PCARRD never gave up and prodded Eddie to continue.
Dedication, commitment, and persistence reap success
In his recollection during the book launching of the Investment package for banana in Luzon in July 2007, Eddie said, “Because PCARRD never gave up in helping us and rehabilitating my farm, I promised not to give up and I never gave up. PCARRD was always there to boost and help me get back my investment.”
At present, Eddie is already harvesting some bananas from his farm while bagging others to protect the fruits from insects and the elements. A net income of approximately P 250,000 per hectare per year is expected from his banana farm production. To date, Eddie expanded his banana plantation from 1.5 has to approximately 4 hectares using PCARRD’s recommended POT.
There are also big firms like Dizon Farm, Waltermart and Shopwise that link with Mr. Silan for the supply of fruits like banana, papaya and dragon fruit.
Reference: PCARRD Monitor
Photo source: PCARRD Website
