Transforming farmers' traditional banana production through local capacitation and partnership for sustained adoption of science and technology-based interventions

Banana is the most economically important fruit crops in the Philippines. Its production system is dichotomus with the export cv. Cavendish planted extensively, with high external input, average yield 40 t/ha while the local banana cvs. are grown in small farms, poorly managed with low input yielding only 10 t/ha. The latter makes up 90% of growers. The general perception that bananas grow productively even without regular care is reflected in their traditional practice of chronic neglect which led to the continuing spread and worsening damages from pests and diseases. Thus, the pressing need to shift to good managemne4t practices including the use of virus free tissue culture (TC) planting materials. The Project was undertaken in the landslide devastated municipalities of Infanta and Gen. Nakar in Quezon, Philippines as part of the agricultural rehabilitation effort. Involving 14 farmer-cooperators in 22 sites, the field performance a package of technology (POT) patterned after the plantation-type production for Cavendish cv was tested under farmers' management. A technology option that used lower inorganic fertilizer input but incorporated bio-fertilizer's inoculation during potting-out of tissue-culture materials was tested side by side with the 100% inorganic fertilizer recommendation of the POT. This paper will share how our on-farm research evolved a sustainability model that mainstreamed the implementation of expanded banana programs anchored on S and T based production system in the agricultural development thrusts of the local government units (LGUS) of Infanta and Gen. Nakar LGUs are mandated by Philippine law to pursue and fund agricultural development in their constituent areas. A partnership with the LGUs build on accountability, transparency and shared responsibility developed local capabilities and established LGU-managed grow-out nurseries for bio-fertilizer inoculated TC banana. This partnership model succeeded in streamlining research outputs and facilitating adoption of improved production practices for local bananas.