SIQUIJOR, Dec. 5 (PIA) – To boost entrepreneurship and tourism in Siquijor province, the Provincial Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Consortium encouraged local banana producers to also go into processing and become entrepreneurs themselves.

Provincial Science and Technology Director Engr. Mario de la Peña said a two-day training on Banana Processing for at least 25 members of Siquijor Banana and Peanut Producers Association (SBPPA) will start Tuesday this week (December 6) at the DOST Conference Room, this province.

“We are responding to the needs of the local farmers. They wish to venture into processing and so we are giving this training to them,” he said.

De la Peña said he is convinced that the training is already a big step towards boosting not only province’s banana industry but also the farmers’ income.

“We should not limit (efforts) to production alone; we should give them opportunities to venture into processing. Who knows somebody from this group (SBPPA) will excel in the future,” he said.

At present, de la Peña said the province has only five processors and are focusing on the same line of products, common of which are banana chips.

He said Duran Banana Products has received assistance from DOST’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) – from technology upgrading to product packaging and labeling.

The rest are still struggling and are needing more assistance from different line agencies although the FITS and DOST have also assisted them through trainings particularly on good manufacturing practices, label design and product packaging, he said.

“This time, we are focusing on products other than the existing ones processed by our local processors like banana catsup, flour, marmalade, and others,” the DOST provincial director also said.

Resource speaker is Josie F. Elli, a food expert and a member of the DOST-7 Food Safety Team.

DOST-7 Food Safety Team, according to Engr. De la Peña, is the first organized and recognized food safety team in the country. (PIA-Siquijor/RACalibo)