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The banana industry was established in the 1930’s and the development of the industry has been controlled by successive pieces of legislation culminating in the passage of the Dominica Banana Producers Act of February 2002, which established a private company, Dominica Banana Producers Limited (DBPL) to manage the affairs of the industry. The banana industry went through many changes in the production aspects and the introduction of the Field Pack method of harvesting and transportation in the 1980’s resulted in improvements in production and quality. ... The production figures increased steadily and in 1988, banana production peaked at 70,000 tones. ... As a result, income to farmers was low and many farmers left the industry, which further reduced banana production and income. ...
A number of farmers have left the industry. ... market, globalization and the need to improve quality and productivity, many small and marginal farmers would have left the industry. The farmers still growing bananas are the committed and more resourceful farmers who have the potential to move the industry forward.
Presently, the banana industry is supported by the Banana Unit Trust, Windward Islands Crop Insurance Company (WINCROP), Windward Islands Banana Exporting Company (WIBDECO), the Banana Unit of the Division of Agriculture and the Watershed Management Unit. ... Such investments in the banana industry are justified to ensure that Dominica can compete on the world market. ...
The banana industry will be around for a long time given the following reasons:
1. ...
It appears that the stage is set for the revival of the banana industry and it is hoped that the investments will generate the expected increases in revenue to once again sustain a significant contribution to the Dominican economy. ... 0 The Banana Industry - A Historical Perspective
Prior to 1930 the banana was planted as a shade tree to establish cultivations of cocoa or lime, the leading crops of the day. After the hurricanes of 1928 and 1930 wreaked havoc to lime cultivations, growers realized the need for a short-term crop, as resuscitation of the lime industry entailed a waiting period of about eight years before returns could be materialized. ... It is against this background that the Banana industry of Dominica was born.
The first banana contract was signed in 1934 with the Canadian Banana Company, and this gave birth to the establishment by legislation of the Dominica Banana Association as a body to market bananas and to regulate and control its export. By then several small farmers had gravitated into banana production as the crop enabled them to earn a steady fortnightly income. ... Without an overseas market the banana industry was placed in a quandary and mass poverty threatened. ... A four year subsidy was granted by the British Government primarily to relieve small banana grower who depended exclusively on bananas for a livelihood. ... In 1952, the hub of economic activity in Dominica centered on banana with exports of 838,035 stems and increased to 1,141,344 in 1953 and 1,324,354 in 1954.
The British gave full support to the banana industry in the Windward Islands because in part they saw the industry as paving the way out of deplorable socio-economic morass the islands were in at that time. ... Every banana grower who could produce at least 72 cartons of bananas per fortnight was permitted to sell directly to Geest at the port as opposed to the Association at a buying depot. ...
As more plantations were carved up and sold to small growers, they began to experience a greater sense of independence and self- worth as the banking and mercantile and other business sectors depended on the prosperity of the banana growers for their survival. ...
From the inception of the banana Industry the banana crop has played a pivotal role in the country’s economic survival and in spite of setbacks like hurricanes and diseases the authorities have encouraged the banana growers to persevere and move on. ... Emmanuel Finn ‘In recent years the number of banana farmers began decreasing at an alarming rate as a percentage of the total population and the decreasing profitability of banana farming. The phenomenon that is being realized in the industry is because of basic economic theory and free market principles. ... However, in recent years, factors such as technology, migration, exodus of banana farmers from the plantations, demographic trends and capital investment, world political and economic dynamics have caused a disruption in the banana industry. ... Hence Dominica and the Windward Island lost their comparative advantage in the industry.’
According to some farmers the banana business is no longer lucrative since it has become very expensive to produce. With the different problems in the industry farmers were demotivated, one of the reasons for the drop in banana production. ...
Another set back to the demise of the industry is that farmers are unable to easily access imputs. ... Before this new company was formed, farmers got their imputs from the Dominica Banana Marketing Corporation (DBMC).
The Dominica Banana Marketing Corporation (DBMC) was dissolved in 2001 and the new company Dominica Banana Producer’s Limited was formed; under the Companies Act of 1994 on February 6, 2002. ... If farmers make proper use of the opportunities which present itself there may be a better future for Bananas Industry.
A local newspaper, The Chronicle has carried articles in the issues of April 25, 2003 and May 2, 2003, stating the case for the Banana Industry to be considered seriously in efforts to grow the economy. ... 1 Producers
The new company, Dominica Banana Producers Limited annual report, stated that the company started operation with a grower population of one thousand two hundred and five (1,205), and net banana acreage of 3652. ... 9 as in table below
Table 1
DISTRICT DECEMBER 2002 AUGUST 2002
ACTIVE FARMS BANANA ACRE ACTIVE FARMS BANANA ACRE
Portsmouth 50 136. ...
Banana farmers are placed into a category which ensures that their field sanitation, their harvesting and packaging techniques etc meet the stipulated condition necessary for the market. ... According to the 2002 annual report of the Dominica Banana Producer’s Limited; a recent certification programme carried out. ... 2 marketing & sales
The Dominica Banana Producers Limited took over management of the banana industry at a time when the market for both green and ripe bananas was weakened considerably. The dramatic fall in the retail price of loose banana in the Multiple sectors in August, 2000 was not related to the fall in green prices, but neither was it completely coincidental. ...
Because of the banana price war in the United Kingdom by major players like ASDA, Wal-Mart and others the price of loose fruit in the market has fallen. WIBDECO and TESCO agreed that the best way forward for the survival of the Dominica Banana Industry is by converting all TESCO loose fruit into “Fair Trade” This has become the most significant product development for the Dominican Banana Industry. ... 3 banana quality
In 2002, there have been more problems and more serious quality problems than in 2001. ... At present the banana farmer receive on an average $19. ... They have indicated that there greatest drawbacks and discouragement points were when the Dominica Banana Marketing Corporation was moving to the process of change, before the present company took over. ... Most farmers hoped that government would subsidize the industry and give them the much-needed financial help they needed to keep them afloat. Since this did not happen the exodus out of banana farming became very evident. Today, it is difficult even if the new company (DBPL) seems to be making some headway for banana farmers especially semi-commercial farmers who once planted bananas to start over. ... These factors and dynamics are some of the culprits to blame for the demise and collapse of the industry.
In order to give support to and encourage renewed growth and interest in the banana industry, various organizations and entities have been set up, such as the Banana Unit Trust, Windward Island Crop Insurance Company and the Banana Unit of the Division of Agriculture, Fair Trade Bananas, WIBDECO Certified Banana and the incorporation and thrust on Organic Bananas. ... It provides the opportunity for banana farmers of Dominica and the rest of the Windwards to add value to their product and in so doing, increase their return. ... The supermarket section of the banana trade in the United Kingdom has been growing steadily and presently dominates the retail market. ...
In order to assure the consistency of banana quality and presentation of the banana, to guarantee that they have been produced under controlled conditions and that agro-chemicals have been used in a careful and diligent manner, conditions applicable to the Certified Farm have been specified. ... 1) Post Harvest Practices
2) Harvesting Practices
3) Fruit Carriage Practices
4) Fruit Processing Practices
5) Fruit Packaging Practices
6) Carton Handling and Transportation Practices
7) Business Relationship between Farmer and Company
8) Certification, De-certification and Re-certification
9) Fruit Reception and Inspection
10) Acceptable Quality Performance
Banana production in Dominica and by extension the Windward Islands for export is rapidly becoming more commercial in outlook, no less so than any other business, and as in the case of any successful business, the farmer/grower must have a development plan for his farm if he is to run it efficiently.
Approximate Word count = 7565
Approximate Pages = 30.3
(250 words per page double spaced)
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