TO enable Filipino growers to export hard green bananas to the United States, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) assured the Philippines during President Gloria Arroyo’s working visit to that country that it will fast track the processing of quarantine protocols.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said USDA executives also agreed to implement immediately an initial two projects: the biotechnology training of Filipino scientists in American universities; and the sending of a US agricultural trade and investment mission to Mindanao within the year.

These projects and commitments were reached in separate meetings between USDA officials led by Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer and Yap along with Agriculture Assistant Secretary Josyline Javelosa and Philippine agricultural attaché Victoriano Leviste, following the signing of the Framework Agreement on Cooperation on Agriculture and Related Fields during the Washington leg of President Arroyo’s US visit.

“Secretary Schafer assured Secretary Yap that the processing of the protocol for Philippine bananas will be fast tracked by his agency,” Javelosa said.

“Secretary Yap took the occasion to inquire on the banana protocol pending with the Animal Plant Health and Inspection Service of the USDA during the meeting,” she added.

Javelosa further said that Bureau of Plant Industry quarantine officials are optimistic that the evaluation of the Philippines’ banana pest mitigation measures will turn out to be favorable, and that a protocol for the exportation of hard green bananas can be agreed upon and completed soon.

Javelosa said that the first project will be undertaken under the Norman Borlaug Program where Filipino scientists in the field of biotechnology will be sent for training and joint research with scientists in American universities.

“Likewise a training program on cocoa production will be provided to Filipino farmers so that they may build expertise in developing a high-value crop which can be intercropped with coconut for income augmentation,” she added.