Pineapple firm gets prestigious Rainforest Alliance certification

By Sosimo Ma. Pablico

A  relatively new pineapple firm in Bukidnon, the Mt. Kitanglad Agricultural Development Corporation (MKADC), has received the Rainforest Alliance certification for protecting the ecosystems, wildlife and people in and around its plantations.

Only eight years old since it started in 1999, MKADC has become the first pineapple firm in the world to have been accorded with the Rainforest Alliance green frog seal, which indicates a high degree of adherence to environmental conservation and sustainable agriculture.

Rainforest Alliance is a non-profit international conservation organization whose mission primarily involves the protection of ecosystems, wildlife and the people that depend on these bionetworks by transforming land use and business practices as well as consumer behavior.

It has three components – forestry, tourism, and sustainable agriculture whose key principles form the bases of audit requirements for farms seeking the Rainforest Alliance Certification.

Earlier in 2004, MKADC obtained an ISO 14001 accreditation for its environment-friendly pineapple plantations.  The accreditation was subsequently renewed last year, but the corporation did not rest on its laurels. 

Although relatively young compared to the giant pineapple companies like Del Monte and Dole who have long made their mark in the world market, and notwithstanding its lack of sophistication in terms of buildings and other infrastructures, MKADC president Dr. Obrero said the corporation has already become a byword among Chiquita Unifrutti farms for employing exemplary practices in all its activities in cost-effective approaches.

MKADC occupies a total 2000 hectares in four sites in Northern Bukidnon for its pineapple plantations at the foot of scenic Mt. Kitanglad.

Today, MKADC is already recognized as one of the most profitable farms of the Chiquita family in the Philippines that has adopted cost management programs to maintain a profitable pineapple production.  Its export grade fresh pineapples are marketed in Japan, Korea and the Middle East among many other markets.

Dr. Obrero said MKADC embraces a strong sense of social and environmental responsibility in all its production operations.  The farm has adopted measures and strategies that protect the environment, restore its vitality, and preserve its bounties for future generations.

“We work in harmony with nature, allowing her to produce the natural sweetness of our precious pineapple,” said Mr. John Perrine, chairman of MKADC.

Actually, pineapple production is considered the most environmentally destructive agricultural practice.  Unknown to many, intensive soil cultivation in conventional pineapple production has resulted in worn out lands.  Because the soil is bare due to the absence of weeds, soil erosion by wind and run-off water easily occurs and causes massive siltation of rivers and adjoining oceans. 

Consequently, rivers and streams become polluted with chemicals that harm people and animals.  Soil particles containing toxic chemicals pollute the oceans where the rivers drain into from upstream.  It has been shown that the massive siltation also covers corals and kills entire reef ecosystems.

Dr. Obrero points out, however, that MKADC grows pineapple with no soil erosion and maintains the natural fertility of the earth and the cleanliness of nearby rivers and streams. 

The original trees and other vegetations on boundaries between fields and rivers on the gentle slopes of Mt. Kitanglad were retained.  In fact, more trees as well as ornamental plants have been planted in the various plantations to sustain and enhance the integrity of the environment.  Pineapple is planted on contours along the natural slopes to prevent soil erosion and maintain the fertility of the land. 

To prevent the pollution of rivers with soil sediments in and around the plantations, catch basins have been constructed in strategic low portions of the fields to trap the rain water before it goes to the rivers.  The catch basins collect the sediments, thereby preventing the pollution of rivers.  Soil sediments that accumulate in the catch basins are hauled back to the pineapple fields.

The corporation even highlights the monthly birthday celebrations of its employees as a time for planting trees in designated areas in the plantations. 

Moreover, the ornamental peanut plant (Arachis pintoi) is planted as a cover crop.  It produces profuse and deep roots that hold the soil and minimize soil erosion.  As a legume, it converts nitrogen from the atmosphere into nitrate form that can be consumed by the pineapple plants.

MKADC also uses methods that reduce chemical pollution like non-use of herbicide and nematicide. It emphasizes biological control by using non-chemical methods for the microbial control of soil pests.  It chops the pineapple stumps and leaves after harvest, treats it with beneficial organisms, mixes it with the soil, and allows it to decompose for the next crop.

(For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/harvest-time/)

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