A community-based cooperative in Bohol is now exporting organic bananas to Japan.

The Guio-ang multipurpose cooperative in the agrarian reform community of Guio-ang in Guindulman, Bohol, made its first harvest of organically grown Cavendish bananas, also known locally as balangon or bongan, from its one-hectare demonstration farm.

The cooperative's banana production and business venture were made possible through technical assistance provided by the Philippines-Australia Technical Support for Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (PATSARRD), a project funded by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and implemented by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.

The first shipment to Japan was made on Jan. 25 and was witnessed by Mayor Oriculo Granada and key local government officials of Guindulman, PATSARRD national program director Edgar Guardian, PATSARRD national experts Axis Portugal and Vic Jurlano, and AusAID program officer Rosa Antes.

An analysis of the performance of the banana industry shows that about 18% of total national banana production is exported.

In 2000, fresh banana exports amounted to almost $158 million, topping all other fruit exports and ranking third among all agricultural exports in the country. Japan remains the biggest market for fresh bananas.

The potential for export market of organic bananas is very promising. In Bohol alone, the province has a production allocation of 500 tons per month for the Japan market.

The shipment, consisting of about 650 kilograms of fresh bananas, is part of the three-year marketing agreement between the cooperative and Alter Trade Corp., a Negros-based export company.

Mr. Guardian reported that the cooperative manages a communal demonstration farm that serves both as a production area and a training facility for members who are interested to venture into banana production. Thus far, an aggregate of five hectares of banana plantations owned by each member provides the bulk of production.

Mr. Guardian said the project is a result of an effective partnership among national and local agencies such as the Department of Land Reform, Land Bank of the Philippines, provincial and municipal local government units, and the multipurpose cooperative.

PATSARRD, a component of the Australian aid program, provides technical support to the project in cooperation with the People's Fair Trade Assistance Center.