EntrePinoys Atbp.

Saba banana is one of the favorite varieties of banana that can be eaten fresh or cooked, it can be processed into cakes, pastries, banana chips, catsup, and vinegar. This is sold in local and export markets. Peelings of saba are also used as substrate for biogas production and for the manufacture of paper and paper board.

Estimated Investment Costs (in Php 2009 prices)

A. Materials

• Saba banana sucker, 10 pcs @P50/sucker – 500.00
• Fertilizer, 10 kgs @P37.55/kg. – 375.40
• Packaging cartons, 10 pcs @P30/pc  – 300.00
• Spade – 150.00
• Bolo – 250.00
• Pruning sickle – 150.00
• Sub-total – P1,725.40

B. Labor Cost (manhours (mh) @P47.50/hr)

• 2 mh for planting – 95.00
• 2 mh for weeding – 95.00
• 2 mh for leaves pruning – 95.00
• 2 mn for harvesting – 95.00
• Total Labor Cost – 380.00
• Transportation – 100.00
• Water (may be secured from nearby creeks or recycled water may be used)  – 0
• Sub-total – P480.00

Estimated total investment cost – P2,205.40

Procedure

1. Soil requirement – A well-drained loam soil but must retain moisture. The crop can tolerate soil pH between 5.5 and 8.5.

2. Climatic requirement – Tropical places with temperature ranging from 22-31 degrees Celsius.

3. Planting:

• a. Dig hole on the soil 40 – 60 cm in diameter and 30 – 50 cm deep.
• b. Plant erect suckers of 100-150 cm in height taken from disease-free and healthy mother plants 4 to 5 meters apart. Cover the soil and press gently. Planting must be done when rainy season starts.
• c. Apply 1/4 kilograms of high nitrogen and potassium fertilizer every 3 months to produce optimum yield.
  • Saba banana plant needs a clean culture, thus weeds should be eliminated as needed.
  • Maintain adequate soil moisture and remove dry leaves every after 3 months using a pruning sickle attached to a long pole.
  • Note:  Saba banana plant bears fruit in about 16 -18 months after planting. A bunch contains an average of 13 hands with an average of 16 fingers per hand.
• d. Cut the bud (puso) 3 to 5 inches away from the last hand of the bunch. Remove leaf that touches the fruit. Saba banana is usually harvested green from 150 -180 days after budding (pagpupuso).

4.   Maturity Indices:

• a. The plant has six or less functional leaves.
• b. Fruits are full, plump, round and light green.
• c. Angles in the fingers are rounded
• d. Leaves turn yellow.

5. Steps in harvesting:

• a.  Remove first the leaves to avoid destroying standing plants in the surroundings.
• b. Using a sharp bolo, cut the trunk slowly ensuring that the fruits are not damaged.
• c. Cut the bunch stem about 5 inches away from the fruit to provide handle for the carrier.

8.   Post Harvest Handling:

• a. Detach banana hands from the bunch using a bolo or knife.
• b. Clean/wash the newly harvested fruits and air dry after washing.
• c. Sort the fruits according to size (large-13 cm or more; medium, 8-13 cm; small. 6-8 cm)
• d. Pack the fruits in packaging cartons ready for market.

Estimated Costing and Pricing

• A. Direct cost (suckers, fertilizer, packaging, labor) – 1,555.40
• B. Indirect cost (equipments, transportation, water, contingency) – 805.54
• C. Production cost (A+B) – 2,360.94
• D. Product pricing (C+30% mark-up) – 3,069.22
• Estimated selling price/kilo (D/208 kg – 14.76
• Market price/kilo = P20.00 or more

Registration Requirements

• Business name registration (www.bnrs.dti.gov.ph)
• Mayor’s/Business Permit (check your local municipality/city)
• BIR TIN (www.bir.gov.ph)

Financing Facility

• Quedan Corporation ([02] 373-9704/05/11)
• People’s Credit and Finance Corp (www.pcfc.gov.ph)
• Other Financing Institutions (loans.mixph.com)

Technical Assistance (Training and Seminar)

• DA-BPI ([02] 524-0779/7909/7678)
• DOST R&D ( www.itdi.dost.gov.ph)
• Other training centers

source: DTI-PTTC, photo from hubpages.com