Del Monte Fresh Produce’s move to expand its banana operations in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindano (ARMM) has received praised from the OIC-regional governor Mujiv Hataman, who said it would boost the government’s peace and development efforts, according to the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).
Del Monte is reportedly developing a 3,000ha-banana plantation in the region at an estimated cost of US$60m. Through its subsidiary Delinanas Development Corporation, the multinational has entered into a 25-year lease contract with the Sangki Estate in the town of Datu Abdullah Sangki, Maguindanao. The banana expansion programme involves 6,000ha of land, according to the PIA.
Hataman praised Del Monte’s brave move into Maguindanao, and singled it out as an example of the gains achieved by the ongoing peace and security campaign in the region.
The plantation in Datu Abdullah Sangki is expected to generate around 1,000 employment opportunities for local residents, according to the PIA, thereby helping to alleviate poverty in the region.
Del Monte’s major banana supply partner in the Philippines remains Tagum Agricultural Development Company (TADECO). The largest contiguous banana plantation in the world, TADECO produces more than 32m boxes of fresh Cavendish bananas each year, and accounts for the majority of Del Monte’s supply.
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