Transforming the Rainfed and Upland Areas of Panay Island as a Production Hub of Black Pepper

Black pepper (Piper nigrum Linn) locally known as “paminta” or “pamienta” is one of the promising high value crops suitable for production in the rainfed and upland areas of Panay Island. The humid climatic condition with rainfall ranging from 100 to 250 cm and inceptisols type of soil in Panay is very much ideal for the black pepper production. The commodity is best suited in an elevation of 350 meters above sea level. The recommended strategy is to utilize the underutilized and neglected rainfed and upland areas of Panay Island into the production hub for black pepper.

Pertaining to demand of the black pepper, the International Pepper Community (IPC) has reported the global per capita consumption of 55 grams per person, while 10 grams per person in Asia. In 2012, Philippines import about 1,200 mt of black pepper amounting to PhP540M, and the figure may close to a billion in 2016. It only suggest that there is a big domestic demand of black pepper for particularly on thriving food industry in the canning business, fast food and culinary. Philippine is targeting sufficiency of the domestic consumption and ultimately for export.

Noting the preliminary data 8P’S Agricultural Farm and reported cost and return of major producers of pepper from IPC, a one hectare farm requires about 600 mandays of farm labor in the period of 4 years. With an average yield of 5,000 kg/ha and current farm gate whole sale price of PhP450/kg, it will generate a gross income of PhP2,250,000/ha. If Iloilo will plant 1,000 ha of black pepper, the black pepper industry will be about PhP2.25 billion in the next 5 years.

A step to this transformation is the initiatives undertaken by 8P’S AGRIal Farm at Barangay Mañacabac, Janiuay, Iloilo (10^o59’42.88’’N 122^o26’54.92’’E elevation 351ft eye altitude 2,323ft) to test the agronomic performance different black pepper cultivars using 1,111 kapok trees (Ceiba pentradra) per hectare for the distance of 3m by 3m. The results are very promising after three (3) years with the preliminary yield of some trees of about half a kilo (0.5 kg) of fresh fruits per tree. With the current standing crop, it is projected to increase the production from 1 kg/tree on the 4^th year to 10-15 kg on its 10-15^th year. The cost of production is dependent on the interventions ranging from PhP300,000 to PhP1,000,000 for the period of 4 years. Mono-cropping using the kapok as support tree is highly encouraged.

3 year old Black Pepper at 8P'S AGRI Farm in Manacabac, Janiuay, Iloilo

The 8P’S AGRI Company is championing on the innovative agricultural and technological solutions that will results to high in productivity and competitiveness. It endeavor's to become as catalyst of change for rural development by opening the opportunities, environmental protection by reforestation of unproductive rolling areas, and poverty reduction by generating jobs through black pepper farming. The Company is interested for potential collaborations and engagements with the government, private sectors and non-governmental organizations on the whole value chain of black pepper farming.

8P'S AGRI Farm located at the rainfed areas of Manacabac, Janiuay, Iloilo

The Farm is being managed by Mr. Garry Palizada. We will greatly appreciate receiving your inquiries at mobile numbers 0919-631-6673; 0999-506-5062; 0995-695-0685; 0919-514-7702 or email at spalizade@yahoo.com.