In his feature address at the launch of Phase 1 of a Banana Revitalization Programme, Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Saboto Caesar thanked the Ambassador for the support of the Government and People of Taiwan for this critical project.
He reviewed the context of the banana industry from its inception and noted that the industry and marketplace in the 1950’s or in 1992 with preferential market access are not similar to today’s marketplace given the removal of preferences.
Minister Caesar reiterated that it was more challenging for a banana farmer in 2018 to compete in the global banana marketplace of today.
He noted that he was reliably informed that the market in the UK was asking for an organic banana which was something that farmers would have to grapple with.
He reiterated that the quest of the project is not to return to production levels of 1992 but to establish a sustainable industry.
The Agriculture Minister also noted that given the rise in the incidence of cancer in the population, the Ministry is taking another look at aerial spraying and the use of chemicals.
He added that persons were making complaints about aerial spraying and the Banana Services Unit was reviewing options to address the problem.
It is anticipated that this project will contribute to the reduction in the incidence of Black Sigatoka on bananas and plantains through public awareness and on-farm technical support.