Villaba, Leyte gets P237-M Banana Processing Facility to Uplift Farmers’ Livelihoods

• P237-M banana processing plant in Villaba, Leyte, broke ground on April 20 to boost local industry, reduce reliance on fresh produce prices, and produce 1,500 kg chips daily.

Rolly Magallanes 5 months ago 1.8 K

Posted on Apr. 27, 2026 at 10:08 pm

TACLOBAN CITY — The groundbreaking and inauguration of a P237 million banana processing and marketing enterprise took place in Barangay Tinghub, Villaba, Leyte on April 20, signaling a significant advancement in strengthening the local banana industry and enhancing farmers’ livelihoods.

The project’s primary goal is to offer local banana growers a more reliable income source by reducing their reliance on the unpredictable prices of fresh produce. Once operational, the facility is projected to increase cardava banana chip production to 1,500 kilograms per day.

This initiative is part of the Philippine Rural Development Project Scale Up, implemented with assistance from the World Bank. Its objective is to improve value-adding activities and create more market opportunities for agricultural products in rural areas.

Cooperative officials believe that the enterprise will provide farmers with consistent year-round earnings and improve the efficiency of banana processing and marketing in the region.

Both the Department of Agriculture and the World Bank praised the project, highlighting it as a successful collaboration between government agencies and local cooperatives. They anticipate that the facility will also generate new job opportunities and livelihoods in Villaba and neighboring communities.

Photo courtesy: DA-8