CARAGA, May 30, 2024 – Banana farmers’ groups in Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Norte, under the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program of the Department of Agriculture (DA), received Training on Pre- and Post-harvest Technology for Banana aimed at helping farmers in managing and handling banana production last April 29-30.

The training was participated by 60 farmers from the Balangbalang Farmers Organization (BAFO) in Remedios T. Romualdez, Agusan del Norte, and the Tagbayani SAAD Farmers Association (TAGSAFA) in Sison, Surigao del Norte.

Topics on establishing banana production, including Site Selection, Soil and Climatic Requirements, Selection of Planting Materials, Land Preparation, Field Planting, Fertilization Guide, Water Management, Weed Control, Sucker Management, Stem and Mat Sanitation, Fruit/ Bunch Management, Pest and Disease Management, Harvesting, and Postharvest Handling were tackled during the two-day event.

Mr. Jim A. Razonabe, an Agriculturist II from the Provincial Agriculture Office in Agusan del Norte, and Richard A. Lalisan, an Associate Project Officer of DA-SAAD, who served as the resource persons, highlighted the need to keep banana farms clean from the start of land preparation until after harvesting. This cleanliness is crucial for ensuring high-quality harvests. They also taught farmers how to spot signs of banana diseases and what steps to take to stop these diseases from spreading.

The farmers learned to identify, properly handle, and prevent the diseases through actual demonstration of pest and disease identification and how to treat the disease.  

One of the facilitators, Jesza N. Taala, the Community Development Officer of DA SAAD Caraga, shared that the topics discussed by the resource persons were helpful and informative, especially since the farmers were actively engaged in the sessions. 

After the activity, the farmers had the chance to share diverse experiences from their areas, which could be valuable for other members, especially in producing high quality bananas.

About the training participants

BAFO and TAGSAFA are from small towns in Caraga belonging to the 5th-income class municipalities. SAAD allocated Php 1,789,000.86 to BAFO and Php 2,110,000.85 to TAGSAFA for banana production. Each received 12,500 pieces of planting materials in 2023 that delved into banana production with lakatan variety which will be targeted to harvest July-September this year. 

Each farmers’ group took care of about 11.87 hectares of banana fields. Each member of the group checked the area every week to make sure the bananas were growing well. BAFO took care of 6.25 hectares of banana fields with 35 members while TAGSAFA covered 5.62 hectares with 25 members. 

Through SAAD livelihood projects, FAs were assisted in their farming endeavors. They received support and training to help them run their projects better and help them produce more food for local contribution, business, and potential exports. ###

Writer: Shena Pabia, DA-SAAD Caraga Information Officer