Banana production is a source of income and employment in the countryside with more than 5.6 million smallholder farmers dependent on it (Calderon, 2002). In 2000, the banana sector contributed about 7% to the total value of production in agriculture.
Why is banana production important?
Due to their suitability for production in backyard systems, bananas are also an important component of periurban agriculture. When grown in perennial production systems, bananas maintain cover throughout the year, thus protecting the soil from rain and wind erosion.
How important are bananas to the world?
They are an essential source of income and employment for many households, as well as being a source of nutrition and food security for more than 400 million people in producer countries. However, only 15 to 20% of the world's banana production is traded internationally.
Why is banana important in the Philippines?
The banana is one of the most important fruit crops of the Philippines. It is important both as a source of local and international revenues for farmers, and an important component of the daily diet of all Filipinos.
Why banana is in demand in the market?
For decades, bananas have been considered a staple, inexpensive, and easily available food. This has led to the constant development in production to satisfy the economic, environmental, and social well-being consciousness of consumers.
What industry is bananas?
The banana industry is an important part of the global industrial agrobusiness. About 15% of the global banana production goes to export and international trade for consumption in Western countries. They are grown on banana plantations primarily in the Americas.
What are the problems and opportunities of the banana industry?
The banana industry consumes more agrochemicals than any other in the world, except cotton. Some of these chemicals are classified as hazardous by the World Health Organisation. Agrochemical use pollutes water supplies, contaminates soils, and can have devastating impacts on worker health.
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