The Banana Conference and Exhibit 2024 (BanCon 2024) is set to take place from October 17 to 18 at the SM Lanang SMX Convention Center, hosting 500 banana farmers with the objective of enhancing the Philippine banana industry. The event is an initiative by the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. Region XI Chapter (PhilExport Davao) and the Philippine Banana Council, Inc. (Philbana Council, Inc.), aiming to facilitate strategic interventions across production, technology, policy, and other critical industry concerns.
BanCon 2024 will focus on discussing policy regulations, legislative actions for industry sustainability, and introducing banana products, technology programs, and initiatives to maintain competitiveness. The event targets banana industry stakeholders including farmers, traders, and exporters. Atty. Peter Paul Savillo, Philbana Council, Inc. chairman, pointed out the industry's challenges such as low production and fusarium wilt (Panama Disease), alongside issues in financing and chemical usage protocols for the Japan and South Korean markets.
Dolly Lazarus, a board member of Philbana Council, Inc., noted the difficulties small farmers face in recovering and replanting due to financial constraints and the impact of fusarium wilt, particularly in Davao del Norte. She emphasized the need for government intervention to support banana growers' resurgence.
Source: Mindanao Times