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A Major Practice on the Production and Management of Pineapple at Dole

Philippines Incorporated, Polomolok, South Cotabato1

JOSEPHINE D. TINO

INTRODUCTION

The Philippine fruit production industry contributes significantly on the national

economy. One of those finest fruit crops is pineapple. It is actually the third most important fruit
crop of the Philippines next to banana and mango, respectively in 1987 which allotted about 59
thousand hectares and put in about 3 Billion Philippine Pesos (Valmayor, 1993). On 1997,
Namuco reported that pineapple rank next before banana which was providing gross export
earnings of about 148 million US Dollar and based on the country statistics starting 1988
onwards the production on pineapple started to increase and brought mango production on the
third place next to pineapple (BAS, 2008). These are due to the increase in demand for export,
producers expanded their production capacity to accommodate the rising demand on countries
like China, Japan etc. ( Gaylican, 2006).
Pineapple is scientifically known as Ananas comosus (L.)[Merr]a perennial herb which
belongs to the family Bromeliaceae. Bromeliad family is divided into two groups based on plant
habitat classification: the epiphytes and the terrestrials (Collins, 1960). Epiphyte plants are those
that grow on the top of other plant but do not depend on the nutrition and other requirements on
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Major practice outline submitted as partial fulfillment of the requirements for graduation with the
degree of Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Major in Horticulture, University of the Philippines Los
Baos, College, Laguna. Prepared under the supervision of Dr. Calixto B. Protacio

terrestrial type; these plants are grown on the ground which is actually the leading edible species
out of 2000 identified. This crop is mostly cultivated in tropical and substantial countries
including Philippines, Thailand, Mexico, Taiwan, Malaysia, South Africa and Brazil (Charrier et
al., 1995)
Pineapple was actually native in South Brazil and Paraguay which then introduced by
Spain in the Philippines (Morton, 1997). Columbus had discovered this crop when he and his
sailors landed to West Indies in 1943. Its general name Ananas was actually taken from the
Indian term nanas and comosus (Purseglove, 1972). The Spaniards named it pia and
pineapple for English because it is composed of pinecones (Purseglove, 1972).
Pineapple production not only plays an important role not only in generation of foreign
exchange but also provide food, income and employment for thousands of Filipinos (PCARRD,
1977). At present, Mindanao is the major producer of pineapple in the Philippines, having
suitable climate and soil characteristic for its production. Northern Mindanao produces about
58% of the total production and 33% in Southern Mindanao where Del Monte and Dole
Philippines are situated: while the rest of the produce came from Southern Tagalog and Bicol
(Angeles et al. 2000). The mentioned companies are major export companies successful for
pineapple growing and canning operations which use modern technologies for production and
utilization. These companies can produce pineapple fruit all- year round and can provide
continuous supply of pineapple.
Dole Philippines Incorporated which was started way back in 1963 sits in Polomolok,
South Cotabato at the foot of Mt. Matutum where soil has rich volcanic soil favorable for

pineapple cultivation. From the companys first harvest in 1965 the operation has been
continuously increasing to supply fresh and canned pineapples to Japan, New Zealand, China,
Hongkong and the Middle East. ( Dole, 2009)
Having a plantation span of 24 thousand acres Dolefil produces an increase of almost 500
thousand tons annually (Dole, 2009) from about 1 million metric tons ( Roperos, 1992). This
made Dolefil hire at least 4000 employees and uses large number of contractor for their
operations (Dole, 2009). This large commercial plantation of pineapple not only provides
employment to thousands of agricultural workers but also raised the community as well.
This major practice at Dole Philippines Incorporated will let the student experience the
actual operations in pineapple production and apply the basic principles learned from the courses
passed. The actual activities in production and management including the marketing operation
analyzing will serve as the students training ground for future career. The students will also
observe the operations based on the operation theoretical validity and science

OBJECTIVES OF THE MAJOR FARM PRACTICE

At the end of the major farm practice, the students should be able to:
1. Analyze the various practices employed in actual production of pineapple based on their
theoretical validity.
2. Apply theoretical knowledge and various skills into actual production of pineapple
3. Determine the marketing/ distribution channels and operations essential for pineapple to
reach the consumers.
4. Analyze the economics of producing pineapple as well as the various prospects and
constraints of production and marketing/distribution.
5. Acquire self confidence and supervisory skills in managing the production, processing
and marketing of pineapple.

EXPECTED OUTPUT
After the major farm practice in the pineapple plantation, the student is expected to make
and report the following:
1. A description and layout of the farm area, resources and market
2. A documentation of the various farm practices involve in propagation, production
practices, post-harvest handling and marketing of pineapple
3. Description on the socio-economic factors affecting the production and management of
pineapple
4. Explain the bio-physical factors affecting the production and management.
5. Analysis of existing problems in plantation area and possible recommendation of suitable
solutions according to scientific basis
6. Photo documentation of different practices in production and management if the company
allows the student to take photos.
7.

Narrate the experiences and lessons acquired from major farm practice.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE
THE PLANT
Pineapple is known botanically as Ananas comosus L. (Merr). It is a single stemmed,
perennial and monocotyledonous herb with terminal inflorescence which then eventually
develops to a multiple fruit (Collins, 1960 and Chandler, 1958). It can expand its width and
height for up to a meter when full matured. For about 12 months after planting, pineapple will
bear flower and matures in 5 to 6 months after flowering (Angeles and Neives, 1997). A plant
can only produce one fruit but it can produce suckers that can be propagated for another fruit.
METHODOLOGY
The major practice will be conducted on April to May 2010 at Dole Philippines
Incorporated in Polomolok, South Cotabato.
During the farm practice the student will participate and observe the various operations in
the production of pineapple. Schedule of activities will be prepared upon consultation of the field
supervisor. Under observations the student will determine the land preparation method, planting
system, culture system used, fertilizers and the mode and frequency application, pesticides and
the frequency of application, irrigation, flower induction and fruit regulation, harvesting,
postharvest handling, marketing. Cost and return analysis should also be made and calculated.
Other important data such as climate, temperature, soil type and the cost and return analysis will
be searched on the existing data from Dole (Phils.) and from the local government office of
Polomolok, South Cotabato. The student will also analyze the practices if there are some
problems and try to explain and suggest solution based on scientific validity that will improve

the farm operation inside the plantation. These observations will be presented discussing the
various production processes, management and other major farm activities.
Table 1.

LITERATURE CITED
VALMAYOR, R. V. 1993 Fruit Production, Research and Development in the Philippines.
PCARRD, Los Baos. Research and Development of Fruits in the Asia- Pacific Region.
Bangkok, Thailand: RAPA Publications.
ROPEROS, N. I. 1992. Major Philippine Fresh Fruit Exports: Status and Prospects in the
International Market. The Philippine Journal of Crop Science. Philippines: Crop Science
Society of the Philippines. December 1992. Vol. 17 No.3.
Namuco L. O. 1997. Fruit Crop Breeding in the Philippines: Status and Prospects. Department
of Horticulture, UPLB, College, Laguna.
GAYLICAN, C. A. Pineapple Export up 305% in First 8 Months. Philippine Daily Inquirer.
November 6, 2006.
COLLINS, J. L. 1960. The Pineapple: History, Cultivation and Utilization. London: Leonard
Hill.
PURSEGLOVE, J. W. 1972. Tropical Crops: Monocotyledons. London: Longman Group
Limited. Pp. 76-91.
PCARRD. 1977. The Philippine Recommends for Pineapple. PCARRD, UPLB, Los Baos,
Laguna.
ANGELES, D. E. and NIEVES, A. C. 1997. A Training Manual on Pineapple Production.
TERMINAL REPORT: Pineapple Technology Utilization through Training and Applied
Communication. Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, UPLB.