Manila, Sept. 19 -- Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities cultivating Cardava bananas have established a global market linkage, facilitated by the Department of Agriculture (DA).

The DA-Davao Region (DA-11) said 1,593 kilograms of Cardava bananas from the Ata Paquibato Tribal Association (APATA) were purchased by See's International Food Manufacturing Corporation in August.

The DA provided transport services through its Kadiwa trucks, enabling APATA to ship its initial batch directly to See's factory in Bunawan, Davao City,

See's has been in the market for 30 years and exports premium Philippine banana chips worldwide. It committed to purchase APATA's Cardava bananas every 15 days.

The DA will assist in drafting a formal contract to pr...