Improved transport shipment of different varieties of bananas

The project focused on the intra- and inter- island shipment of 'Lakatan', 'Latundan', 'Saba', and 'Bungulan' bananas. A key component of the project was educating the different sectors of the marketing system and sharing with them the basic concepts and practical techniques of proper postharvest handling. The message from the bananas themselves saying 'We are alive, please handle us with tender loving care' could help in disseminating to handlers the proper way of handling fruits to prevent further injury. Survey of banana shippers (20%) were conducted at the ports of Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Nasipit in Agusan del Norte, and General Santos. Thirty-two percent (32%) of the target 45 consignees were interviewed at the Manila North Harbor. The port of Nasipit Agusan del Norte handles the biggest volume of banana transported to Manila. Average weekly volume is 100-150 ten-footer vans with fruits also coming from Davao and Cotabato. A documentation of the practices and handling flow of banana from farm to market for 'Balangon' and mixed cultivars of banana are presented. These include harvesting, cleaning and washing, sorting, packaging, hauling inter-island transport and marketing. Experiments were done to generate basic information on the rheological properties of the different banana cultivars. The basic information served as basis for determining the critical loads and making recommendations in packaging, stacking and transporting of bananas. Compressive strength generally declines with ripening. The practice of inclusion of ice blocks in bulk was simulated using dry ice and block of ice. The block of ice lasted twice longer (melting after 30 hours) while dry ice sublimated (turn solid to gas) after 15 hours. Alter Trade Corporation, the company that produces and exports organic 'Balangon' to Japan, has adapted the use of plastic crates as recommended by PHTRC. They have observed that crated fruits have lesser injury thus have better quality than the uncrated ones. Now they have their own crates. Pre- and post-harvest quality defects guide has been printed as poster. 'Postharvest Handling Tips for Banana' was likewise produced and disseminated. Forum consultations on the postharvest handling of banana have been conducted in the various parts of the country. Problems in shipping have been discussed and observed. This includes mishandling of fruits as a result of mechanical breakdown (of vehicle), bad roads and bad weather, as well as the practice of hauling bananas by sacks on horses or carabao drawn sled sometimes even crossing streams and rivers before products are loaded on trucks. In going to the interior production areas, SOP in cash or in kind is paid for protection of 'free passage'. Port problems include trip schedule; availability and condition of banana vans; weather condition; availability/condition of fork lift, trailer and other shipping facilities; and ship space as the vessel is sometimes fully loaded already from the Port of Nasipit. Actual sea shipping-related issues refer to timeliness of ship arrival and departure, and positioning of container van inside the vessel since too much heat in the hold apparently damages fruits more than during transport from the area. Problems at the port of Manila include delays in releasing of vans and pilferage. The condition/quality of the fruits upon arrival at the port is the barometer which determines its price. Cleanliness and sanitation of port facilities should also be addressed. Research gaps include rheological studies on 'Bungulan' and vibration studies on different banana varieties, control of crown rot and latex control for organic bananas.