Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel has pledged stronger government support to revive the country’s struggling banana industry, which is facing disease outbreaks and international competition.
He called for closer collaboration between the government and the private sector to help farmers and exporters overcome biological and market challenges.
Under the High Value Crops Development Program for 2025, the Department of Agriculture plans to distribute 106,000 banana planting materials, 120,000 units of organic fertilizer, and over 215,000 biological control agents to protect plant health and reduce post-harvest losses.
The spread of Fusarium Wilt, Tropical Race 4, also known as Panama disease, has affected approximately 15,500 hectares in Davao, threatening the Cavendish variety that drives Philippine banana exports.
Tiu Laurel also noted that global market pressures, including competition from Vietnam and higher tariffs in Japan, continue to challenge the industry’s competitiveness.
Source: PhilNews24 | November 9, 2025
