Cardava Bananas from Davao IP Communities Break Into Global Market

AGRI-NEWS | Farming Posted on 2025-09-19 21:45:52

DAVAO CITY – Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities in Paquibato, Davao City are now tapping the global market for their Cardava bananas, thanks to a new partnership facilitated by the Department of Agriculture in Davao Region (DA-11).

In August, the Ata Paquibato Tribal Association (APATA) delivered 1,593 kilograms of Cardava bananas to See’s International Food Manufacturing Corporation, a Davao-based company that has been producing and exporting premium banana chips worldwide for more than 30 years.

The DA supported the initiative by providing Kadiwa trucks for transport, ensuring APATA’s first batch reached See’s factory in Bunawan directly. The company has committed to buy Cardava bananas from APATA every 15 days, with the DA helping both parties draft a formal supply contract for long-term protection.

“This market linkage is a big boost to our livelihood,” said APATA chairperson Oliver Manlangan, expressing gratitude to government and private partners.

The collaboration was made possible through DA-11’s Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Kababayang Katutubo (4Ks) Program, in coordination with the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division.

See’s president Ruben See described the partnership as “a dream come true” and has already conducted a briefing for APATA members on quality standards and proper banana classification.

Cardava bananas, known for their large size and suitability for banana chips, are among the priority crops supported by the Department of Trade and Industry’s RAPID Growth Project, which aims to uplift rural incomes by strengthening agribusiness value chains.

“Connecting our farmers to sustainable markets ensures their hard work pays off,” DA-11 Director Macario Gonzaga said.

NPO News Team I PNA-PR

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