InterAksyon.com means BUSINESS
MANILA - The Department of Agriculture will start next week the modernization and upgrade of banana packaging and warehousing facilities in Mindanao to ensure that small-scale growers meet world standards.
Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala told reporters that the agency has completed inspection and identified all banana packaging facilities affected by the stringent sanitary and phyto-sanitary concerns of China.
Alcala said the department will come up with the list of farmers' groups that will benefit from government financial assistance through a counter-funding scheme.
The DA chief said the agency will allot P450,000 to P500,000 for each facility.
“By next week we will already start with the upgrading of the facilities, which will help these small-scale banana growers to comply with international standards and also give them a chance to expand to more strategic markets,” Alcala said.
A source said Malacanang approved a P50 million additional budget for the project, which will come from the President’s Social Fund.
Alcala said that the small-scale banana growers may also receive financial aid through the government’s cash for work or the Pantawid-Buhay Program. The said growers should undergo a process set by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, which supervises it for qualification.
Earlier, President Benigno Aquino 3rd ordered Alcala to beef up alternative markets for Cavendish bananas as demand from China is expected to slow down because of its local fruits season.
InterAksyon.com means BUSINESS
BUSINESS NEWS
