IMPROVED TRANSPORT SHIPMENT OF DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF BANANAS

Terminal Report (January 2000 – December 2004)

Objective (general)

To reduce losses, increase availability of quality bananas leading to higher income of producers

Objectives (specific) To identify the existing handling practices in the

transport shipment of bananas using the modified non-refrigerated vans

To determine the profitability of the existing and improved practices in banana transport

To reduce losses in mixed varieties of banana through development of local and export-oriented postharvest technology packages

Objectives (specific) To create awareness of the basic concepts of

handling, packaging, storage and transport of bananas and;

To develop product quality specification for ‘Lakatan’, ‘Latundan’, and ‘Bungulan’ bananas

Results

Region II

Region IV

Region VI

Region VIII

Region IX

Region XII

CARAGA

ARRM

Regions that identified bananas as priority crop (Panganiban, 2000)

Handling system of fresh banana from the farm to the market in Mindoro Oriental and Agusan del Norte.

Harvesting

Dehanding

Hauling

Temporary holding

1-3 days ; 1-5 days*

Loading

Transport to pier

Stacking of fruit in van*

Transport , sea

Stripping / unloading*

Loading in vehicles*

Transport, land

Unloading

Wholesale/retail

Distribution

(consumer)

*Additional operations for bananas from Agusan del Norte

The critical points identified were:

• Harvesting

• Hauling

• Loading

• Packinghouse operations

• Unloading

• Transport

Dehanding of banana

Cuts of banana crown

without using dehanding

knife/scoop

Banana fruits in over-sized jeep from Calapan,

Mindoro Oriental.-

Disease control,

packaging and

weighing of banana

in the South.

Crated bananas for Manila shipment.

Fruit van with vertical

divider, bulk loading

Banana upon arrival at the port

Damage of banana fruits

due to direct contact with

the van during bulk

loading.

5.1 - 43.1 kgs

Latundan, PCI 1

6.5 - 69.5 kgs

Saba, PCI 1

Capacity (pieces) of containers being used

during handling of banana.

Container Capacity (pieces)

Sack

bamboo basket

animal driven cart

farm cart / push cart

old truck (‘weapon’)

long jeep

10 - wheeler truck

fruit van (10 - footer)

200 - 300

200 - 300

1,000

3,000

18,000 - 20,000

35,000 - 40,000

60,000 - 80,000

60,000 - 80,000

Mechanical injuries

Impact damage

Compression damage

Washing tanks for bananas have been put up at alter trade. (2010)

In a multinational packinghouse.....

Summary, conclusion and recommendation

The project focused on the intra- and inter-island shipment of Lakatan, Latundan, Saba and Bungulan bananas.

A key component of the project was educating the differrent sectors of the marketing system and sharing with them the basic concepts and practical techniques of proper postharvest handling.

Survey of banana shippers (20%) were conducted at the ports of Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Nisipit in Agusan del Norte, and General Santos.

Thirty – two percent of the target 45 consigness were interviewed at the Manila North Harbor.

The port of Nasipit, Agusan del Norte handles the biggest volume of banana transported to Manila.

Average weekly volume is 100 – 150 ten – footer vans with fruits also coming from Davao and Cotabato.

Experiments were done to generate basic information on the rheological properties of the different banana cultivars. The basic information served as basis for determining the critical loads and making recommendations in packaging, stacking, and transporting of bananas.

Compressive strength generally declines with ripening.

Alter trade corporation, the company that produces and exports organic Bungulan to Japan, has adapted the use of plastic crates as recommended by PHTRC. They have observed that crated fruits have lesser injury thus have better quality than the uncrated ones.

Pre and post-harvest quality defects guide has been printed as poster. Postharvest handling tips was also produced and disseminated during consultation fora.

Research gaps include rheological studies on Bungulan and vibration studies on different banana varieties, control of crown rot and latex control for organic banana.

Thank You