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The needs that make us human: "To love,to be loved, to be accepted, and to be
respected" Artist Alison Lapper was born without arms and was denied the affection she needed asa child. Here, as part of our "What Makes Us Human" series, she reflects on herexperiences, and what they can tell us about humanity.
BY ALISON LAPPER PUBLISHED 03 OCTOBER 2013 10:30
The artist in Trafalgar Square, where Marc Quinn's Fourth Plinth model of her body was unveiled in 2005. Photograph:
Richard Ansett/National Portrait Gallery.
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The problem with the question “What makes us human?” is that you have to find universal
characteristics that link people such as Hitler with Mother Teresa. I could have a stab at it,
and say freedom of choice and the desire to humanise everything, but an anthropologist
might hiss: “What about X?” And you’ll always get the plonker who will yell: “You don’t even
look human, love, so how can you talk?”
However you cut it, human beings are incredibly diverse, so this is a nightmarish question,
unless you are an expert. But I’m only an expert on my life, and the challenges disabled
people face. Based on that, I think there are four vital things that make us human: the need
to love; the need to be loved; the need to be accepted; and to be respected as a human being
in the first place.
In a scene in the film The Elephant Man, John Merrick is chased into a railway toilet and
trapped between two rows of urinals. With his back against the wall, he screams at the mob:
“I am not an animal! I am not ananimal ! I am a human being!” And of course he was. But to be treated like a human being, you have to be accepted as one.
When I was trapped at Chailey Heritage School (for disabled children), I was too afraid to
scream, but then I was only tiny and didn’t even know that I was different. I understood that
I was one of the 250 “strange little creatures” that lived there. But we were in the majority,
so acceptance wasn’t an issue. It only became an issue when we were faced with the outside
world. That was a whole different ball game.
As toddlers, we were taken to Brighton Beach, and we emptied it in ten minutes! We were
never asked if we minded being repeatedly sprawled naked in front of ten to 15 medicalprofessionals and endlessly poked, pulled, rotated and photographed. Every Wednesday
afternoon, wealthy donors would peer at us through the classroom windows. They didn’t
seem to see children, just poor, pathetic, unloved creatures.
Although w e’ve come a long way since then, I’m still stared at; some passers-by will do a
double-take if I’m heard making an intelligent comment; I’m told I intimidate people; I
make people feel uncomfortable, or even turn their stomachs. Why? Disabled people aren’t
a different species. We are human beings with the same needs and aspirations as everyone
else, and everyone has a basic need to be accepted.
I think that is why John Merrick said to the doctor Frederick Treves at the end of the film:
“My life is full because I am loved.” Now he could die in peace, because society had finally
accepted what he had always been – a human being who just happened to be disabled. I
believe that loving and being loved also make us human.
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When I was little, the ward sister would sa y: “Put that crying baby down. They don’t need a
hug.” In her eyes, children like us didn’t need human contact, let alone love. We were all
treated the same way, so we grew up thinking that that was normal. Mind you, at the age of
five I also thought it was normal to be taken to Lewes Prison to visit the inmates. Our
surroundings were so alike, that it seemed that the only contrast between us was that we were locked away as punishment for being different, and they were locked away as
punishment for doing wrong.
Yet I was aware that kindness made me feel loved. Kindness that I had experienced from my
foster parents, my sister, some of the nursing staff and all the teachers at Chailey. But of
them all, my rock was always Nurse Mary Shepherd. Because of her, I recognised that
human beings were more than just fed, watered, educated and disciplined.
Despite my upbringing, the need to love and be loved was instinctive. As I grew up, I felt
love and respect towards my friends and myself. As I grew older, I fell in love, I made loveand experienced the joy of parental love.
I still do, but these feelings – feelings that make us human – are often denied to people like
me because of our disabilities.
So, what do I think makes us human? Four needs: to love; to be loved; to be accepted; and
to be respected.
This is the latest article in our series published in association with BBC Radio 2 and the
Jeremy Vine show http://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2013/10/needs-make-us-human-love-be-loved-be-accepted-
and-be-respected
Philippines 1st exporter of Cavendish banana to US
13
- AA
+ A
By Antonio L. Colina IV
Sunday, September 15, 2013
A TOTAL of 7.047 metric tons of Cavendish bananas coming from Bukidnon province arrived at the Port of Long Beach, Los
Angeles in California on September 9, Philippine Embassy in US announced Sunday (Manila time).
The bananas were exported by Dole Philippines to Dole Food Company Inc. through Mindanao International Container Terminal
in Tagaloan, Misamis Oriental on August 20.
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In its website, the Philippine Embassy in US announced that the arrival of the maiden shipment of Cavendish made the
Philippines the first Asian country to export bananas to US.
"With this shipment, we are hopeful that Philippine bananas would be able to find and satisfy a niche in the competitive US
banana market," Philippine ambassador to US Jose L. Cuisia Jr. said.
He is also hoping that the shipment of bananas from the country to US will increase.
Agricultural attaché Dr. Josyline C. Javelosa said the shipment came almost eight years after the Philippines first asked for
a market access in US.
The first shipment was just first out of the 3,000 metric tons that the US is expected to import from the Philippines this year.
"Philippine bananas are among the best in the world and there is opportunity to bring in the unique and special banana varieties
like lakatan and latondan, which Filipinos in the US have long been craving for and which Americans can learn to love," said
Javelosa.
The highland bananas will be distributed in US under Sweetio brand next week. Since the shipment arrived last week, they had
been transferred to a ripening warehouse.
With the entry of the first batch of banana export there, US is now officially in the list of foreign markets of the Philippines,
joining Japan, Hong Kong, New Zealand, South Korea, China, Singapore, Middle East, Canada, Russia, and Indonesia.
The newly-found market is seen to further drive the growth of the Philippine banana industry, especially in Mindanao where most
of the banana plantations are still recovering from the Typhoon Pablo that hit the island on December 4, 2012.
Philippine Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) executive director Stephen Antig said exporters from Mindanao
are hoping to export initially a total of 250,000 boxes of Cavendish to US annually on a trial shipment.
"It's just a small market just like when we started in China. We're hoping that it will grow. We're keeping our fingers crossed," he
said.
Antig added that the main constraint of the exporters to ship out bananas is the distance from Philippines to US.
"Shipping to a new market is not the end of it, you have to wait for the response from the market if the product arrived in good
quality and in good condition," he said.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2013/09/15/philippines-1st-exporter-cavendish-banana-
us-303409
Our bananas — it’s no longer a sagging
industry BUSINESS & LEISURE By Rey Butch Gamboa (The Philippine Star) | Updated December 1, 2012 - 12:00am
0 2 googleplus0 0
There is good news for our banana growers. At long last, the United States is willing to open its doors
toPhilippine banana, though only one variety has gotten the nod. This is the Highland Cavendis h variety that
is grown only in the highlands of Davao and Bukidnon.
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As opposed to Lowland Cavendish which some of our plantations grow, the highland variety is reportedly
much sweeter, a rather special variety indeed if the Americans are now agreeing to import them from us. I
understand that the plant quarantine protocol imposed on our bananas is rather stringent. Assuring that these
bananas get into US free from pests and diseases is a problem that the exporters should work on, and big
grower DOLE is at the forefront of working out the documentation, etc.
Through the government’s initiatives, we were able to penetrate the American market. However, locally it was
only DOLE who responded to that initiative, and they have taken up the task of ensuring proper documentation
and adherence to the strict banana protocol of the US.
The Highland Cavendish must be very special indeed. If you think about it, South America is much nearer to
the United States, as director Clar i to Barron of the Bureau of Plant Industry pointed out in an exclusive
interview with Business & Leisure , and this is a banana-growing country like us. Yet, thePhilippines is all set
to bag this much-needed contract by the end of this year, if all goes well. Once theUnited States approves the
ruling (which is now still under review), the commercial exportation of HighlandCavendish bananas will
commence. The initial volume of exportation is small at 3,000 metric tons, but we have to start somewhere.
The American acceptance of this type of our bananas into their soil enhances the image
of Philippine bananas to the rest of the world.
There are plans likewise to export to US trust territories like Guam, the Marianas Islands and evenHawaii.
The local banana industry remains big in the Philippines. Currently worth P34 billion, it
employs500,000 workers, and Director Barron claims this industry indirectly benefits five million Filipinos.
Whatever happened to our banana exports to China? Actually, I think there was a lot of hype to that. In2011,
our total banana exports to China were 513,000 metric tons. This year, there was so much talk of
aChinese boycott of our bananas, but as of end of October , our banana exports to this country stood
at429,000 MT, and we still have two months to go for the year.
Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1
In the whole world, according to the Bureau of Plant Industry, there has been a tremendous increase inbanana exports. Last year, we exported 1.8 million MT. Now, as of end of October , our exports already stood
at 3.4 million MT to countries like Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia and new markets like Mongolia,
Russia, Belorussia and theMiddle East.
Among the most common banana varieties that we ship out are the Senori ta variety which is much desired by
Japan, and the Bong onan, Saba, Latundan and Lacatan .
Here are some consumer concerns
Sometime back, I wrote about this big laundry/dry cleaners which I have been patronizing for several years
now. To cut to the chase, one of my tailored white shirts that was sent to them for laundry got lost somewhere,and when I filed for a claim, they pointed out to me the fine print in their service contract: for lost or damaged
garments, their liability is limited to 100 percent of their cost of service, or P1,250 for a slightly-used tailored
shirt that cost me at least seven times that. Of course I declined.
After several months, they sent me a check for P2,000 (a little bit more) as damages for the lost item but, get
this, they want me to sign a waiver that I will not write a word about the issue again nor similar issues in the
future. What if another reader has his own issue with drycleaners and wants a fair space in this column? I sent
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back the check promptly and requested to have that particular clause taken out, which they refused saying that
it’s a “standard clause” in their waiver. I was just wondering, does this mean that all their claimants are
consumer rights-conscious journalists to have such a clause “standard” in their waivers?
We have no intentions whatsoever to besmirch the reputation of Metropole , being one of the better-known
laundry facilities hereabouts. Each business establishment has its own rules and ways to conduct theirbusiness and we do not question this. Our objective here is to inform the public of such fine print conditions that
they may not be aware of.
As for me, I’ll just have to find my way again to Ascot Chang for another well-tailored shirt to replace the one
that Metropole Laundry an d Dry Cleaners may have inadvertently lost. And charge it to experience.
Another consumer issue
Many stores resort to gimmicks using discount coupons which they give away during promos. White Hat ,
which sells frozen yogurt, launched their promo in conjunction with a theater mall where discount stubs
of P20 each were given to patrons. A reader wrote that when he and his family tried to use the discount cards
one Sunday afternoon at the SM Megamall, the cashier informed them that they had to declare where they got
the discount cards from. According to the reader they explained that each store had controlling numbers, so
this information had to be volunteered before they could honor the discount cards. But when it was pointed out
the fine print on the discount coupon clearly stated that the coupons should be honored in any and all White
Hat stores, they reportedly changed their tack. After a few phone calls, the reader added that they still refused
to honor the coupons because the theater mall’s membership card could not be presented, another alleged
requirement.
Our reader came to wonder. Where did that come from? Where did it say in the discount coupon that use of
the coupons was hinged on some membership affiliation? There was no reference at all to any membership, or
for that matter, any qualifying condition that must be met for the use of those discount cards.
Many of us do not bother with P20-discount cards, but young people on a strict budget do. It does not do well
for stores to prey on them in the guise of promoting their stores.
Mabuhay!!! Be proud to be a Filipino.
http://www.philstar.com/business/2012-12-01/877475/our-bananas-%E2%80%94-it%E2%80%99s-no-
longer-sagging-industry
PH banana exports grow 111%in 2012 despite China issueBY RAPPLER.COM
POSTED ON 01/24/2013 2:34 PM | UPDATED 01/25/2013 12:48 AM
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MANILA, Philippines - Despite the export restrictions imposed by China on Philippine bananas in
2012, total exports of the fresh fruit grew more than two-fold largely due to increasing demand from
the country's premium markets.
The local banana industry managed to increase shipments of Cavendish bananas to 3.8 million
metric tons in 2012, compared to the 1.8 million MT recorded in 2011, Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI)
Director Clarito Baron said in a speech during the agency's 83rd anniversary on January 24.
Increasing demand from other traditional markets for Cavendish bananas, as well as the opening of
new export markets, contributed to the stronger year-on-year performance of the banana sector,
Baron said.
“There’s a significant increase in volume in major importing countries like Japan and Korea,” Barron
told reporters in an interview on the sidelines of the event.
He cited the increase in exports to Japan and Korea, the top two destinations of Philippine
Cavendish bananas. The combined export receipts of over 1 million metric ton (MT) from these two
markets made up for the loses in the Chinese market.
The Philippines’ banana exports to Japan tripled to 1.86 million MT in 2012 from the previous year's
508,000 MT. Exports to South Korea, on the other hand, soared to 657,000 MT in 2012 from the153,000 MT volume in 2011.
Banana exports to China fell by around 27% to 473,000 MT from 650,000 MT.
Baron added the Philippines was also able to ship to new destinations like Indonesia, Pakistan,
Jordan, and other Middle East countries.
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Baron noted that restrictions on Philippine banana exports to China are now easing. Chinese
quarantine officials have also notified Manila of the improvement in the quality of banana shipments
to China.
“China remained our third biggest market, next to Japan and Korea. But they still play a big role as
one of our biggest banana export market,” he said.
For 2013, Barron said they expect banana exports to further increase as the planned export of
bananas to the United States pushes through by the first quarter of 2013.
The Philippines is the world's 3rd largest exporter of bananas. - Rappler.com
http://www.rappler.com/business/20345-ph-banana-exports-grow-111-in-2012-despite-china-issue
Banana:Postharvest Situationer
Banana is the 4rth largest produced fruit crop of the world. It is also the fourth
largest produced commodity by the Philippines next to paddy rice, coconuts, and
indigenous pigmeat respectively.
The banana plant is often erroneously referred to as a “tree”, it is actually an herbwith succulent, very juicy stem – a cylinder of leaf petiole-sheaths, reaching a height
of 20-25 ft. and arising from a fleshy rhizome or corm.
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The plant needs 10-15 months of frost-free conditions to produce a flower stalk. All
but the hardiest varieties stop growing when the temperature drops below 53°F.
Growth of the plant begins to slow down at about 80°F and stop entirely when the
temperature reaches 100°F.
Bananas grow best in full sun, however, high temperatures and bright sunlight will
also scorch leaves and fruit. Freezing temperatures as well will kill the foliage. In
most areas bananas require wind protection for best appearance and maximum
yield. They are also susceptible to being blown over. Bananas, especially dwarf
varieties, make good container specimens if given careful attention. The plant will
also need periodic repotting as the old plant dies back and new plants develop.
(www.crfg.org , 2007 )
History
Some horticulturists suspect that the banana was the earth’s first fruit. It has been in
cultivation since the time of recorded history. (www.eatmorebananas.com , undated )
Banana was first mentioned in Buddhist texts 600 years BC. Alexander the Great was
first to discover the taste of the banana in Indian Valleys around 327 BC. China had
an organized banana plantation in the year 200 AD. Banana was brought back
to Palestine by Islamic conquerors in 650 AD. And finally, Arabic merchants spread
the banana all-over Africa. In 1502, the Portuguese started the first banana
plantation in the Caribbeanand in Central America . (www.vandamme.be , undated )
According to Spanish history, Friar Tomas de Berlanga brought the first banana root
stocks and planted them in the rich soil of the Caribbean in 1516. In the 1800s,
sailors who traveled to the Caribbean brought home a few stems with them.
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Bananas were officially introduced to the Americans at the 1876 Philadelphia
Centennial Exhibition.
In India, bananas were called “Fruit of the Wise Men”. According to Indian legend,
wise men meditated under the shady, green leaves of the banana plant. Don’t you
wish you had a banana plant in your backyard? (www.dole5aday.com , 2004)
Importance of the Crop
Banana is now one of the most popular of all fruits. Although it is viewed as only a
dessert or an addition to breakfast cereal in most developed countries, it is actually a
very important agricultural product. It is the fourth most valuable food after rice,
wheat and milk. Banana and plantain (which is a type of banana) are staple foods
that represent major dietary sources of carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins A, B6 and C,
potassium, phosphorus and calcium. (www.aspnet.org)
Bananas come in a variety of size and color, most cultivars are yellow when ripewhile some are red or purplish. Ripe banana fruit is eaten raw or cooked. Unripe or
“green” bananas are used in cooking and are the staple starch of many tropical
populations. The commercial dessert cultivars are non-seasonal crop hence, are
available fresh year-round.
The flower of the banana plant (a.k.a. banana blossom or banana heart) is used in SE
Asian, Bengali and Kerala ( India ) cuisines. The tender core of the banana plant’s
trunk is also used in Burmese dishes, Bengali and Kerala cookings. The juice extract
prepared from the tender core is used to treat kidney stones. Banana fried with
butter is a popular dessert in Malaysia , Singapore and Indonesia . Banana chips are a
snack produced from dehydrated or fried banana. Banana fritters can be served with
ice cream as well. Bananas are also eaten deep fried, baked in their skin in a split
bamboo, steamed in glutinous rice wrapped in banana leaf, or used in making jams.
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The leaves of the banana are large, flexible and waterproof; they are used as
umbrellas and to wrap food for cooking. In India , juice extracted from the corm is
used as a home remedy for the treatment of jaundice. In other places, honey is
mixed with mashed banana fruit and used for the same purpose.
The banana plant also has long been used as a source of fiber for high quality
textiles. Banana fiber is used in the production of banana paper.
(www.en.wikipedia.org , 2006)
Nutrient Composition
The banana is nourishing, does not contain fat, and can be eaten at every hour of the
day because of its digestive properties. The banana holds 23% of hydrocarbonate for
0.2% of fat. It has 0% cholesterol and a 100g banana has as low calories as a 100g of
yoghurt with fruit.
The banana is full of proteins and the sugar provided gives a lot of energy best forthose engage in sports requiring endurance. Moreover, it contains selenium,
magnesium, iron and lots of vitamins and is recommended for salt-free diets because
of its low sodium chloridium contents.
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Banana, raw Nutritional value per 100 g
Energy 90 kcal 370 kJ
Carbohydrates 22.84 g
- Sugars 12.23 g - Dietary fiber 2.6 g Fat 0.33 g Protein 1.09 g Thiamin (Vit. B1) 0.031 mg 2% Calcium 5 mg 1% Riboflavin (Vit. B2) 0.073 mg 5% Iron 0.26 mg 2% Niacin (Vit. B3) 0.665 mg 4% Magnesium 27 mg 7% Pantothenic Acid (B5) 0.334 mg 7% Phosphorus 22 mg 3% Vitamin B6 0.367 mg 28% Potassium 358 mg 8% Folate (Vit. B9) 20 ug 5% Zinc 0.15 mg 1% Vitamin C 8.7 mg 15%
Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults.
Source: USDA Nutrient database
WORLDWIDE BANANA INDUSTRY SITUATION
Bananas constitute 73% of consumer fruit intake. They are an important food item
for Filipinos, a source of income for local farmers and a foreign exchange earner for
the country. They are the leading Filipino fruit crop in terms of area, volume and
value of production. The average annual land yield of the Philippines is 9.4 ton/ha.
while big plantations produce about 40 ton/ha. (Espino, et al, 1999)
The Philippines ranked fifth among the top producing countries of banana (Fig.1).
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Fig.1. Average Volume of Production of Top Producing Countries (‘000 tons),1996-2005
The existing agro-climatic conditions of the Philippines greatly favor cultivation of
this crop. Cultivation practices could be easily adapted to small farm conditions. It is
not seasonal and has a continuous cropping system through the ratooing process. This
means that it provides a regular source of income for small farmers throughout the
year. F ig. 2 shows the average area harvested of top banana cultivating countries
(1996-2005).
Fig.2. Average Area Harvested of Top Cultivating Countries (‘000 has.), 1996-2005
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Small Philippine farms with areas less than 2 hectares have land yield of 3-10 MT/ha.
and the products are just for domestic consumption while large plantation of more
than 20 hectares yield more than 20 MT/ha. and the products are exported to other
countries (www.fao.org , 2002). It is noticeable in the following figure (Fig.3) that the
top producing countries also consume more of this commodity except for USA whichis the top importing country of banana (Fig.5).
Fig. 3. Average Banana Consumption of Top Consuming Countries (‘000 has.), 1996 -2005
The Philippines contributed with almost 10% of the world supply in years 1996-2005
(Fig.4). Two-thirds of the bananas exported are grown in Mindanao Island . The
country is also the main world exporter of banana chips and the demand is
increasing. Chips are exported to 30 countries with US and EU being the major
importers.
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Fig. 4. Average Volume of Exports of Top Exporting Countries (‘000 tons), 1996 -2005
The latest processed products of banana to enter the market is banana wine. It has
been a very lucrative business in the Malawi area and elsewhere in Africa and in
some parts of Asia and Latin America . In Tanzania , banana bear is further distilled
into a liquor called ‘gongo’ which has high demand however, the government
declared it illegal as it is perceived to contain poisonous ingredients.
Case studies initiated by the International Network for the Improvement of Banana
and Plantain (INIBAP) were conducted in 9 countriesnamely: Malawi , Tanzania , Cameroon , Nigeria , Nicaragua , Costa
Rica ,Philippines , Malaysia and India.
India exhibited the widest range of banana products. This includes banana paper,
clothes, slippers, bags, baby food, puree, juice, wine, chips, banana halva, bajii, figs,
etc. Brazil also brought a lot of interesting products including pasta made from
banana flour. In most of these countries, banana chips surfaced as the most
marketable product. Mr. Max Reynes, a food technologist from the Centre decooperation Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Developpement
(CIRAD), France , advised that for chips to penetrate into the export market, the
packaging as well as the nutritional quality must be improved especially if you want
to export to European countries where there are rigid nutritional requirements.
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The top importing countries of banana products is shown in Fig.5. As mentioned
earlier, USA is the top importing country along with Germany , Belgium-Luxembourg,
and Japan . They are not among the major producers of this commodity.
Fig.5. Average Volume of Imports of Top Importing Countries (‘000 tons), 1996-2005
PHILIPPINE BANANA INDUSTRY SITUATION
PRODUCTION
The Philippines ranked fifth largest producer of banana in the world. India is the top
producer followed by Ecuador , Brazil , and China . The volume of banana production
in the country by region from 2001-2005 is presented in Table1. Fig.6 shows the
comparative banana data for 1996-2005 in the Philippines.
Table 1. Volume of Banana Production in metric tons by region
REGION 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
PHILIPPINES 5,059,360 5,274,826 5,368,977 5,631,250 6,298,225
CAR (Cordillera Administrative Region) 22,522 22,072 22,353 23,620 23,899
REGION I (Ilocos Region) 33,245 32,963 33,162 35,214 37,370
REGION II ( Cagayan Valley ) 265,199 270,778 231,486 211,358 269,242
REGION III ( Central Luzon ) 46,249 46,383 44,194 45,032 46,411
REGION IV-A (CALABARZON) 139,369 142,046 144,145 141,732 138,854 REGION IV-B (MIMAROPA) 159,545 160,160 169,418 167,479 203,676
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REGION V (Bicol Region) 63,249 69,380 74,480 69,161 68,235
REGION VI ( Western Visayas ) 256,146 254,640 254,143 265,101 286,637
REGION VII ( Central Visayas ) 165,931 163,376 167,709 164,915 146,100
REGION VIII ( Eastern Visayas ) 226,987 230,121 233,629 230,989 234,768
REGION IX ( Zamboanga Peninsula ) 162,069 170,865 168,019 178,885 242,490
REGION X ( Northern Mindanao ) 518,596 534,815 515,502 571,626 590,026 REGION XI ( Davao Region) 2,015,732 2,081,419 2,149,556 2,308,773 2,673,618
REGION XII (SOCCSKSARGEN) 429,480 522,746 582,088 631,697 753,495 CARAGA Administrative Region 197,848 197,912 202,711 205,039 208,432 ARMM (Autonomous Region of
MuslimMindanao ) 357,193 375,150 376,381 380,629 374,970
Copyright © 2007 Bureau of Agricultural Statistics
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization
Fig. 6. Comparative Banana Data for 1996-2005, Philippines
HARVEST, POSTHARVEST AND HANDLING
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Banana is transported in specialized refrigerated ships. Bananas are loaded into
refrigerated cargo vessels and shipped green at a controlled temperature of 14.5°C
(58ºF). Crossing to Europe lasts about 11 days where the temperature is frequently
controlled to avoid any premature ripening. Europe imports Chiquita, Bonita and
Fyffes variety.
A long time ago bananas were imported in stems. Then
from, Rotterdam to Brussels by train. Afterwhich they will be stocked in temperature
controlled rooms until they mature. Today, bananas are imported in boxes, which
enables a more easy manipulation and a more convenient process of transportation.
But just like in the past, they are stocked in hermetical ripening rooms for 6-8 days at
a temperature that does not exceed 14.5°C which allows a homogenous ripening of
bananas even at different sizes. (www.vandamme.be , undated )
Bananas require different handling and postharvest treatments depending on
variety. The following SWOT Analysis by Dr. Dionisio G. Alvindia of the Bureau of
Postharvest Research and Extension (BPRE) can be a guide as to the postharvest and
handling requirements as well as gaps to be addressed for the Philippine banana
cultivars.
SWOT Analysis for Different Banana Cultivars (By: Dr. Dionisio G. Alvindia)
Saba / Cardaba:
STRENGTH WEAKNESS OPPORTUNITY THREAT
High demand for
fresh and
processed product
Excellent starch
quality
The country is
the sole producer
in large quantities
Lack of quality standards for
both fresh and processed
products
Poor cultural management by
the farmers
Longer growing period
Low plant density per unit
Improved human
nutrition
Increase economic
return
High demand in the
international market
for processed
product
Susceptible to
viruses and other
systematic
diseases
Land use/
conversion
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Can be grown in
marginal areas
Resistant to
major diseases
Low input
requirement
Multi-purpose
cultivar (fiber,
leaves, male bud,
stem)
Can be grown
organically
area
Susceptible to “Bugtok”,
bract mosaic and other pests
Lack of info on pre and post-
harvest technologies
Inadequate infrastructure
Inappropriate marketing
system
Poor and expensive transport
Lack of entrepreneurial skill
by the farmer
Prone to typhoon/ strong
wind
CARP implementation
Lack of marketing strategies
High demand in the
domestic market as
snack food
Lakatan:
STRENGTH WEAKNESS OPPORTUNITY THREAT
High demand in
the local market
High potential for
the export market
Starting to be
grown
commercially in
large areas (>20ha.)
The country is the
sole producer in
large quantities
Good intercrop
Poor cultural management
followed by growers
Susceptible to viruses, leaf
diseases and insect pest
Lack of info on pre and post-
harvest technologies
Inadequate infrastructure
Poor and expensive transport
system
Lack of entrepreneurial skill of
farmers
Increase demand in
the local and
international market
Preferred in the
local market
High price
Appreciation of the
market of high quality
fruits
Improved human
nutrition
High economic
return
Viruses,
diseases and
other pests
Land use/
conversion
High pesticide
use
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High yield
Can be grown
organically
Lack of marketing promotions
in other countries
Lack of quality standard for
fresh fruit
Prone to typhoon/ strong
winds
CARP implementation
Lack of marketing strategies
Latundan:
STRENGTH WEAKNESS OPPORTUNITY THREAT
Consumer specific
The country is the
sole producer in
large quantities
High sugar
content
Can be grown
organically
Stress tolerant
Can be grown in
marginal areas
Have medicinal
property
Susceptible to viruses andother pests
Limited market
Poor cultural management
followed by farmers
Lack of info on pre and post-
harvest technologies
Inadequate infrastructure
Short postharvest life
Finger dropping
Thin skinned and prone to
fruit cracking
Lack of quality standards for
fresh fruit
Poor and expensive transport
system
Lack of entrepreneurial skill of
the farmer
Prone to typhoon/ strong
wind
Improve humannutrition
Not enough supply
in the market
High economic
return
Viruses andother pests
Land use/
conversion
High pesticide
use
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Inappropriate marketing
system
CARP implementation
Lack of marketing strategies
Cavendish:
STRENGTH WEAKNESS OPPORTUNITY THREAT
Favorable agro-
climatic conditions
Proximity to
markets in the region
Availability of
technology, logistic
support and
manpower
Globally
competitive product
and superior quality
Developed
infrastructure in
Davao del Norte
Institutional
producers have an
organization, PBGEA
Perishable product
Mature and undifferentiated
produce
Limited direct market access
Very labor intensive
Small growers difficult to police
Land disputes affecting
productivity and investments
Priority for water availability
Truck hauling
Prone to advocacy issues raised
by NGOs
Integrate forward
selling and
distribution
Look for new
markets
Find ways for
product
differentiation to
enhance price and
saleability
Capitalize on
emerging niche
markets
Develop a Filipino
global brand
Occasional risks
due to adverse
climatic
disturbances
Spiraling cost of
production and
business costs
Weakening
economic
conditions of the
country
Unresolved
agrarian reform
issues
Competitiveness
of Latin American
Bananas
Increasing
supply and market
price softening
Proliferation of
“fly-by-night”
traders who
encourage pole
vaulting
Land use issues
Proliferation
and illegal use of
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unregistered
chemicals
Security issues
Dependence
onJapan as single
biggest market
OVERALL LOSSES
Small farms in the Philippines have low yield due to the prevalence of diseases and
the use of low input technologies. The low availability of good planting materials,
high influence of pests and diseases, postharvest losses, inadequate support
infrastructure, market and lack of credit access and transportation costs make it
difficult for small scale farmers to meet the export requirements. (Espino, et al,
1999)
Nowadays, researchers are using tissue culture technology to produce disease-free
planting materials and exploring the use of biotechnology to develop disease-
resistant plants. Many banana producers lament the loss of huge portions of banana
through the presence of virus diseases, such as bunchy top, mosaic, bract mosaic,
and banana streak. Researchers, throughout the world, consider banana bunchy top
as the most significant disease problem of banana. Biotechnology manipulations
would be highly useful in producing healthy banana that can resist this dreaded
banana disease. (www.dost.gov.ph , 2002)
MARKETING
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Banana production in the Philippines is extensive. The crop is grown along the road
side, on mountainside, on home lots and in small farms. As a result, marketing is
highly decentralized. In a recent PCARRD-coordinated study, it was found that the
banana marketing inefficiencies could result to losses in farmers’ incomes by as
much as 25% of what they currently get. There are also substantial losses in the waybananas are graded, counted, handled, and packaged. (www.pcarrd.gov.ph , 2001)
Grades
Classification of banana quality was based on a number of quality indexes including
dirt, cracks, bruises, scratches, decomposition, cleanliness of the banana cluster andmore. The Israel Agriculture Ministry recently issued a guide to rank banana quality
to conform to the European standards. The guide classified the fruit according to a
discreet grading system: The best are “choice” bananas, grade A bananas are
“clean”, grade B are “medium”, and grade C are “poor”.
A choice banana, for example, weighs over 170 grams (about 6 ounces), has a 35-40
mm diameter, and has no cracks, dirt, decomposition, scratches or bruises.
In some parts of the Philippines like in Mindanao , farmer sort bananas in sizes and
sold on a per kilogram basis unlike in Mindoro and Quirino where no standard
specifications are being followed in terms of size, dimension or quality.
Prices
Comparative prices of different varieties of banana for 2001-2005 in
the Philippines can be found in Table 2. On the average, the Lakatan variety has the
highest wholesale and retail price while the Bungulan variety is the cheapest in terms
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of wholesale price. The comparative average retail and wholesale prices for the
different varieties is presented in Fig.7 .
Data from the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics
Exports
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Fresh Banana ranked second in the country’s Top Agricultural Exports next to
Coconut Oil and followed by Pineapple and its products. In 2004, the Philippines had
11.05% share in the world market with 1,797.34 T mt of exports against the
16,262.61 T mt of total world exports (Fig.8 ). The Philippines is the only Asian
country included in the world’s top exporters of banana.
Japan (excluding Okinawa ) is the Philippines ’ top export market for banana with
918.23T mt valued at 172.78M USD. The volume and value of fresh banana exports
in other major Philippines markets can be found inFig. 9.
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The percent in fresh banana exports of major Philippine markets in 2005 is
in Fig.10 . Japan receives 45% of our country’s banana exports followed by South
Korea at 12%.
http://www.philmech.gov.ph/phindustry/banana.htm
Philippine Banana Production And Exporting
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by John Dela Cruz
10
The Philippine banana industry is one of our best agricultural products. Most of the banana producers are
found in Mindanao the southernmost island of our country. It started in Davao del Norte around the 60′s
and has flourished to eleven provinces with about 50,000 hectares of farmland. It is estimated that 35
billion pesos is invested in this agricultural industry which includes the cost of infrastructure, planting and
distribution.
Bananas
Worldwide banana exporting and consumption
Fun Fact: The worldwide consumption of bananas is around 220,000 tons a day or 80 million tons per
year. In Uganda each person eats around 1.33 lbs per day. Now that’s going bananas!
The top 10 banana producers in the world are as shown in the chart below.
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Top 10 Banana Producers (image source - wikipedia.org)
Philippine banana exporting
Bananas
The banana exports of the Philippines is actually our 5th largest export product. In 2008, the industry has
contributed taxes of almost 400 million pesos. We are also seen as one of the strongest producers of
this food product worldwide because of our low production cost and quality. The banana production and
exporting in our country continues to see tremendous growth and popularity.
Our banana exports are very competitive and is the 3rd biggest in the world. We are also the only country
in Asia that is among the top 5 in this industry. Approximately 150 million boxes each weighing 14 kilos
were exported in 2008 to our main customers which are Japan, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Korea, China,
Singapore, Middle East, Canada, Russia and Indonesia.
ManilaTrade supports the growth of our Philippine exports
To help the growth of our Philippine export products ManilaTrade is looking for banana producers and
exporters to feature in our website. By using the latest internet marketing techniques, the presence of our
Pinoy products in the global market can reach new heights.
If you are in the banana production or exporting industry please send us an email
atJohn@Manilatrade.com so we can feature your business in our website. For interested importers you
can also send us an email so we can connect you to the best local suppliers.
Resources:
http://www.pbgea.org
http://www.dti.gov.ph
http://www.wikipedia.org
http://www.manilatrade.com/philippine-banana-production-and-exporting/