PINEAPPLE INDUSTRY

INDUSTRY PROFILE: The Philippines is one of the top pineapple-exporting countries in the world The major producing regions are in the Northern Mindanao, Southern Mindanao, Southern Tagalog and Bicol Region Areas planted to pineapple increased by 12% in 2008 and produced 1,046,000 MT with total export revenues of US$ 125.2 Million in 2008 The industry provides levelihood to 420,000 farmers

ISSUES AND CONCERNS: RECOMMENDATIONS: High cost of production due to: High cost of farm inputs especially fertilizers High cost of labor RECOMMENDATIONS: Increase government subsidy; e.g import tax reduction Encourage the growth or establishment of local manufacturing fertilizer industry (local production) Improve standards for service providers/ encourage more people to be compliant to standards

Intensified trainings for service providers ISSUE AND CONCERN: Poaching of managerial and technical manpower RECOMMENDATION: Intensified trainings for service providers

ISSUES AND CONCERNS: Financing in agriculture in order to avoid higher interest rate and unsuitable loan terms Taxes RECOMMENDATIONS: Revive Anti-Usury Law Reduce loan interest rates

ISSUE AND CONCERN: RECOMMENDATIONS: Road maintenance or farm to market roads RECOMMENDATIONS: Government support for regular road maintenance Create a study group that will look into the technical and financial capability of LGUs Come up with an integrated road maintenance task force Study the creation of road maintenance network

ISSUE AND CONCERN: RECOMMENDATIONS: Unstable peace and order situation (e.g threat of sabotaging equipment and infrastructure of some firms RECOMMENDATIONS: Install military detachments in strategic areas for the effective promotion of tourism/commerce support programs both government and private to augment income of workers

ISSUE AND CONCERN: RECOMMENDATIONS: Pilferage/Theft Intensify community relations through the establishment of community projects to enhance harmonious realationship Ensure the concerned institutions to operate effectively Increase social responsibility/cooperation Adopt strict security measures

ISSUE AND CONCERN: RECOMMENDATION: Pole Vaulting Enforcement of contracts

ISSUE AND CONCERN: RECOMMENDATIONS: Unavailability of workers due to seasonality of jobs RECOMMENDATIONS: To come up with a continuous Training Program Tapped available training shemes Identification of skills requirement

ISSUE AND CONCERN: RECOMMENDATION: Lack of industry/company training programs for its workers RECOMMENDATION: Implementation of relevant sustainable program

Thank You!