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DOST-PCAARRD strengthens saba banana production in Alaminos, Laguna through capacity building activities
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DOST-PCAARRD strengthens saba banana production in Alaminos, Laguna through capacity building activities

Saba banana, a staple ingredient in Filipino snacks such as ‘turon,’ ‘maruya,’ ‘minatamis na saging,’ and ‘halo-halo,’ has long been embedded in the country’s food culture. Its versatility makes it an essential component of local delicacies and a steady source of income for smallholder farmers. In CALABARZON—particularly in the provinces of Quezon, Laguna, and Batangas—saba is one of the most commonly cultivated banana varieties. There is high demand for saba bananas for both household consumption and processing into food products.

Farmers actively participating in the lecture discussions. (Image credit: SERD, DOST-PCAARRD)

Recognizing this potential, the Alaminos Laguna Consumer Cooperative (ALACCO) has been strengthening its efforts to enhance saba banana production with support from the Agri-Aqua Business Hub (AABH), a unit of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) Innovation and Technology Center (DPITC). ALACCO has set its sights on SM Supermarket to forge a supply arrangement for saba bananas for its turons. The Cooperative has been in initial talks with the SM Supermarket regarding its quality and volume requirements.

Among the challenges that ALACCO is facing is meeting the expected high-volume requirement of the SM Supermarket. The Cooperative is looking to increase its membership and improve the current cultural management practices for saba bananas.

UPLB-IPB staffers Paulo Jerome Lopez and Robbie Alcibor demonstrating macro-propagation. (Image credit: SERD, DOST-PCAARRD)

To equip farmers with improved knowledge and skills on sustainable banana cultivation, a training titled, “Recommended Cultural Management Practices for Saba Banana,” was conducted and attended by 48 farmers on August 20, 2025, at the Alaminos Municipal Hall. AABH organized and implemented the training, in collaboration with the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB) of the College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños (CAFS-UPLB) and the Municipal Agriculture Office of Alaminos, Laguna.

Dr. Lavernee Gueco, Division Head of the National Plant Genetic Resources Laboratory (NPGRL) of IPB, served as the resource person for the one-day training. Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for bananas were emphasized, including soil preparation, proper planting layout, fertilizer management, and field maintenance to ensure optimum yield and reduce the risk of pests and diseases.

A farmer participating in the hands-on demonstration on macro-propagation. (Image credit: SERD, DOST-PCAARRD)

A key part of the training focused on nursery establishment and propagation techniques. IPB staff demonstrated macro-propagation and discussed the advantages of using clean planting materials produced through tissue culture to ensure uniform and disease-free plants. Dr. Gueco also introduced cultural management practices such as water management, mulching, intercropping, and sucker control to improve soil condition and increase productivity. Farmers actively participated in the hands-on demonstration of banana macro-propagation, and were allowed to take home the plants that they had prepared.

Ms. Gladys Thompson, Municipal Agriculturist of Alaminos, Laguna, expressed her positive feedback on the training organized by DOST-PCAARRD. “Ito po ay hindi katapusan, ito po ay simula lamang ng ating collaborative efforts at makakaasa po kayo na kung may magagawa po kaming mga tulong ay ibibigay po namin. Napakaganda po, komprehensibo yung ginawa natin, marami po tayong natutunan.”

Training participants showing off their certificates. (Image credit: SERD, DOST-PCAARRD)

During the sessions, participants actively engaged with the experts. They raised concerns and sought expert advice on challenges encountered in their own farms. Several farmers asked Dr. Gueco, who provided practical insights. The training helped clarify common misconceptions in production and offered recommendations that farmers could immediately apply.

Alaminos, celebrated its annual CoRambLan Festival that highlighted its major crops—coconut, rambutan, and lanzones—and is now setting its sights on strengthening the emerging banana industry. The recent training marked a pivotal step in expanding its focus by equipping farmers with knowledge and practical insights. With this, ALACCO is now better positioned to enhance production efficiency, meet institutional market standards, and ensure a stable livelihood opportunity. 

With continued collaboration among ALACCO, DOST-PCAARRD, IPB, and the LGU of Alaminos, the future of saba banana production in the area looks promising, driven by innovation, resilience, and a shared commitment to uplifting Filipino farmers.