A banana plant takes about nine months to mature and produce bananas. Bananas are grown in the tropics and can also survive in cool weather for a short while. It is most widely consumed in all regions as snack and an alternate staple.
In Sulu, the lack of water supply is the most common cause of death for bananas. But this challenge did not stop the Department of Agriculture IX – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) program from providing support to five municipalities in Sulu to its development.
The municipalities of Maimbung, Talipao, Indanan, Panamao and Parang received 10,000 banana plantlets in 2019 intended for one hectare demo farm per area. The delivery of the banana plantlets arrived during the summer time, so the farmers had to wait for rainy season to start planting.
“Scarcity of water is one of the causes that farmers become hesitant to plant banana. But with the demo farms SAAD has established, we can prove to them that this too can be a good source of income. A lot of our brethren also eat banana as second option from cassava,” said Analisa Dauring, Area Coordinator in Talipao.
Towards the end months 2020, banana harvest recorded 85% of success in barangay Tubod, Talipao and barangay Anak Jati, Maimbung, while 75% outcome in Bangalan, Indanan and 65% in Lupah Abu, Parang, and 30% result in Suuh Panamao.
While the Tausugs remain committed to their superstitious belief; that collecting banana suckers for replanting are forbidden unless they have already harvested from it, the SAAD Area Coordinators patiently and continuously educate and explain to them the science in banana production.
With an open mind, the support of the field technicians and staff from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) also extended assistance in the realization of the banana demo farming in Sulu. # # # (Shara Malaica Ussam/DA-RFO IX, SAAD)
