EntrePinoys Atbp.

Banana is the most economically important fruit crop in the Philippines and the only locally grown fruit available year-round. Bananas are grown in diverse environments in the country, from the lowlands, flat and sloping uplands to the marginal hillylands. Latundan, lakatan and saba are mostly grown in the backyard or as a component in an intercropping scheme with minimum care and management.

Fresh lakatan is very popular in the market. However, supply does not always meet this high demand especially in Luzon. Lakatan, sold in Luzon, sometimes comes from Mindanao. These bananas are more expensive because of their better quality and additional transport costs. Hence, lakatan produced in Luzon provinces can be very competitive, with market opportunities available in the growers’ own public markets and in the huge Metro Manila markets. Fruits can be harvested 8-12 months after planting. Suckers are allowed to grow for the next fruiting cycle and repeated for another cycle as long as plants are healthy.

What do I need to prepare to go into lakatan production?

A.  Area. The soil should be deep, loose, and fertile. Water should drain from the soil easily. For best growth, lakatan has to be planted in areas with slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 5.0-7.0), with temperature of 25°-30°C and with average rainfall of 100-150 mm/month.

B.  Planting materials. You can choose from any of the following:

1. Suckers – These are vertical shoots arising from the mother plants. Ideally, the suckers should be 100-150 cm in height and taken from disease-free and vigorous mother plants.
2. Corms – These are the underground stems of the banana that look like very large tubers. Choose corms that are about 10-15 cm (about 1/2 kg) from disease-free mother plants.
3. Tissue-cultured planting materials – These can be obtained from recognized and reputable nurseries and are ready to be planted when they reach the five-leaf stage.

C.  Farm facilities, equipment, and basic supplies. A lakatan farm should have a packing shed, a washing/delatexing tank and irrigation facilities. Bamboos are needed as support materials to the banana plants. Other basic tools and equipment include weighing scale, sprayers, bolos, knives, and ladder. Farm supplies consist of organic and inorganic fertilizers, pesticides, and packaging materials.

D.  Integrated lakatan production technologies – Learn the recommended cultural and other practices that are needed to produce lakatan successfully. These recommended practices together are called a package of technologies or POT The POT for lakatan includes specific recommendations for all stages of production up to marketing.

E.  Marketing arrangements. Work out marketing arrangements before harvesting. Check established banana wholesalers and retailers in your area.

Summary if  Investment Requirements and Profitability Indicators (2006 data)

Profitability Analysis

How much do I earn from producing lakatan?

The main source of income from this venture is the sale of fresh fruits. Before investing on the enterprise, it is advisable that you visit an actual farm near you.

For more information, please contact:

PCARRD, Los Banos, Laguna
Tel. Nos.: (049) 536-0014 to 20; 536-5907
Fax Nos.: (049) 536-0016/536-7922
E-mail: pcarrd@pcarrd.dost.gov.ph
Website: www. pcarrd.dost.gov.ph

Related posts:

1. Banana Production and Processing Business Guide
2. Starting a Business in Saba Banana Production
3. Coconut-Banana Intercropping
4. Banana Farming and Production