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TO enable Filipino growers to export hard green bananas to the
United States, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) assured the
Philippines during President Gloria Arroyo’s working visit to that
country that it will fast track the processing of quarantine
protocols.
Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said USDA
executives also agreed to implement immediately an initial two
projects: the biotechnology training of Filipino scientists in
American universities; and the sending of a US agricultural trade
and investment mission to Mindanao within the year.
These projects and commitments were reached in
separate meetings between USDA officials led by Agriculture
Secretary Ed Schafer and Yap along with Agriculture Assistant
Secretary Josyline Javelosa and Philippine agricultural attaché
Victoriano Leviste, following the signing of the Framework Agreement
on Cooperation on Agriculture and Related Fields during the
Washington leg of President Arroyo’s US visit.
“Secretary Schafer assured Secretary Yap that
the processing of the protocol for Philippine bananas will be fast
tracked by his agency,” Javelosa said.
“Secretary Yap took the occasion to inquire on
the banana protocol pending with the Animal Plant Health and
Inspection Service of the USDA during the meeting,” she added.
Javelosa further said that Bureau of Plant
Industry quarantine officials are optimistic that the evaluation of
the Philippines’ banana pest mitigation measures will turn out to
be favorable, and that a protocol for the exportation of hard green
bananas can be agreed upon and completed soon.
Javelosa said that the first project will be
undertaken under the Norman Borlaug Program where Filipino
scientists in the field of biotechnology will be sent for training
and joint research with scientists in American universities.
“Likewise a training program on cocoa
production will be provided to Filipino farmers so that they may
build expertise in developing a high-value crop which can be
intercropped with coconut for income augmentation,” she added.
-- Ira Karen Apanay
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