I.

Summary:

The cases analyzed in this report show that the investment models and

contractual arrangements implemented by Unifrutti -a major private company

producer, processor and exporter of pineapple and banana in the Mindanao

Region- have positive implications for the livelihood of the rural communities

involved. This study demonstrated the women and men have not equally

benefitted from the investment oppurtunities. Gender neutral practiced and

approaches do not necessarily lead to gender equitable result as learned in this

case study. Instead, both investment schemes and policy frameworks need to

recognize and address the differentiate needs and priorities of women and men

to ensure more gender equitable distribution of benefits. Unifrutti also engaged

with local rural communities through two main agribusiness models: growership

arrangements with agrarian reform cooperatives, and a corporate-managed

plantation, among others. The report focused on the analysis of the business

relationship between Unifrutti Philippines and three different cooperatives, as well

as on the operations of one corporate managed plantation – MKAVI, a subsidiary

of Unifrutti.

Positive outcomes offered several lesson as well as good practices for the

establishment of inclusive and sustainable partnership between private

enterprises investing in agriculture and local communities. Poor rural

communities were enabled to take part in the venture as a result of the

Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), which granted them secure

control over land and encouraged the formation of Agrarian Reform Beneficiary

(ARB) cooperatives. However, differing initial endowments of land holdings under

the reform, ranging in the cases studied from 0.75 ha per ARB to 3 ha per ARB,

have contributed to differential outcomes for ARBs engaged under similar

contractual arrangements with the company. In one case, farmers with very small

land received correspondingly lower gains from the agribusiness and were at

higher risk of poverty and indebtedness. Second, the creation of cooperatives

has been fundamental not only for engaging more efficiently and on a more level

playing field with investors, but also for generating additional benefits for the
communities involved. On the one hand, cooperatives (and alliances of

cooperatives) allow farmers to present a cohesive position which has, in the

cases studied, strengthened their bargaining power vis-à-vis investors.

International solidarity, NGO support and government programme support have

also played a role in supporting the negotiating power of the cooperative groups

in past business relationships. On the other hand, cooperatives are regulated

and well monitored in the Philippines. If well organized and trained can be

attractive investment partners. In the cases studied, investment from a private

enterprise, coupled with public and NGO actors involvement has complemented

and even augmented investments from the cooperatives and farmers’ own

resources. Third, ARBs noted that contractual negotiations and subsequent

dealings with the company are facilitated through open dialogue and timely

communication, thus developing a high degree of trust over time. Pricing terms

have allowed ARBs to make gains during market upturns, while minimum “floor”

prices are reported to be above average. By negotiating a Free on Board

contract with the company rather than a simple contract growing agreement,

communities have also been able to derive higher value added from primary

production and post-harvest sorting and packing. Finally, the mutual recognition

that both out growers and the company share risks unique to their roles, and

therefore should mutually support each other has been equally important.

However a major concern is associated with environmental risks as these still fall

heavily on farmers, in a country increasingly exposed to climate disasters and

related outbreaks of pests and plant diseases. The company emphasizes

environmental management through the provision of training and technical

support.
 II. Point of View:

Management and workers plays an important role in decision making of Unifrutti

in Mindanao, Philippines. The case shows that the management sets corrective

measures that need to be adopted to modify cooperatives governance

mechanisms and structures, gender sensitive awareness and capacity

development iniatives. Management has a big role of solving issues and

analyzing what would be the best solution for the firm. Workers also has a part

of making decision, because they are the one who is directly affected every

problem that been encountered. Moreover workers urged to be aware and be

knowledgeable about gender equalities. The management and the workers

should coordinates in making decision so then no uncertainties would be chaos

in solving one problem and issues in the firm.

III. SWOT ANALYSIS:

INTERNAL FACTORS

STRENGTH WEAKNESSES

 Strong corporate ethos  High product cost

 Biggest banana exporters in other  Small land, lower gains

countries  Fast turnovers of workers

 High standard of thruthfulness  Not uniformed wage rate in

different department

EXTERNAL FACTORS

OPPORTUNITIES THREATS

 Income Generating  Weather Conditions

 Outbreak of pest and plant diseases

 Joint ventures to the other companies

 Investments from a enterprise

Figure 1. SWOT MATRIX OF Unifrutti Philippines

banana exporters,Philippine bananas are mostly exported to Japan and China;

other markets include the Republic of Korea, Iran, and Singapore. It is also

strengthened their barganing power vis a vis investors. Unifrutti has a strong

corporate ethos, expressed in its mission statements, which declare a

commitment to improving the quality of life of the communities with whom it

works; set a very high standard of truthfulness; and commit to preserving and

restoring the environment. However their weaknesses are policy issues despite

the good practices and promising approaches observed through the cases

analysed, the existing national policy, legal and institutional environment

presents several challenges to the promotion of inclusive and gender-equitable

investments in agriculture. The policy and legislative context associated with

land-related investments is very complex, creating areas of administrative

overlap while also leaving significant gaps. Another weaknesses is farmers with

very small land received correspondingly lower gains from the agribusiness and

were at higher risk of poverty and indebtness. On the external environmental

forces it involves their opportunities and threats. One of their opportunities is the

creation of cooperatives has been fundamental not only for engaging more

efficiently and on a more level playing field with investors, but also for generating

additional benefits for the communities involved. They are also investing in a

private enterprises. They have a joint venture in other companies. These

opportunities are particularly important in cases where land resources are poor in

either quantity or quality and prove insufficient to lift families out of poverty. While

their threats are that women tend to be excluded from cooperatives’ decision-

making processes. It can also affect to the banana sectors the weather

conditions. However a major concern is associated with environmental risks as

these still fall heavily on farmers, in a country increasingly exposed to climate

disasters and related outbreaks of pests and plant diseases.

Unifrutti encountered different issues. Case study helps to identify facts

that constitute issues regarding to solve problems.

1. Substantial Gender Gap Inequalities

Regarding gender equality, results are less positive and there is still much

room for improvement. Men represent the large majority of members (between

80 and 95percent). Women are poorly represented in decision-making positions.

Many women workers in the banana plantations are excluded from selection as

Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) because priority is given to permanent

wage workers, who are predominantly men. Women also cannot vote on

important decision concerning land use. Gender sensitive awareness and

capacity development initiatives are needed to support this change.

2. Contractual parties has different wages

Unifrutti has un equal wage rate in packaging house in different contractual

parties. MKAVI pays there employees according to their work. It is unequal

because they have different wage rates. This made the production decreases.

3. Aquatic damages

MKAVI has applied strong chemical to banana plants roots which result for

the dying of aquatic resources in the river.

V. Alternative Course of Action:

Substantial Gender Gap Inequalities

A. In this issue Unifrutti Philippines should make a programme or make

agreement are stated clearly. This may help especially to women whom

not always included on decision making and who excluded on from

other opportunities.

Advantages:

 Strong laws and agreement towards the rights of women or the

gender sensitivity.
  It also help to change the customary practices that makes the

women less powerful and can voice out what they want to say or

do.

 Helps out to understand more the gender sensitivity in Unifrutti

Philippines.

Disadvantages:

 Most of it is poorly implemented.

 And it is not been observed directly.

 It takes time to implement the certain laws regarding to gender.

B. Unifrutti Philippines is advised conduct seminars on Gender Sensitivity

program

It helps to maintain and sustain the awareness of the workers and farmers to

know basic and reliable information towards Gender Gap Inequalities issues.

Advantages:

 Gives additional guidelines and helps them to educate the issues

regarding on Gender Gap Inequalities.

C. Specified task division between men and women.

DisAdvantages:

 Decision-making will be equally done.

 Women has the power to speak out there ideas.

Disadvantagse:

 Costly and timely

 Some employees will not adapt changes.

The firm needs to make a specified task for both women and men. In order

to set balance and equality. And so that there would be no discrimination among

employees.

Disadvantages:

 This costly and not everyone is interest to attend seminars. This

needs time allocation for both employees and farmers to attend.

I strongly recommended to use alternative A. Unifrutti Philippines need to

make a programme or make agreement for gender sensitivity in where legal

rights and contract agreement are stated clearly. The company should make

mutual understanding between the workers about the policy being made on

Gender equality programe. The company needs establish and make laws that

help the worker like women to work motivated. Women empowerment should be

considered. And eliminate the customary practices. It also help to be more

productive because it has additional human force in the production. Also it helps

to tighten policies on the benefits and incentives for womens. Having laws and

agreement is a big help in every firm because it protects the right of employees, it

helps to reach out the needs of every employees both its men and women. This

helps to resolve issues on Gender Gap Inequalities.

Reference:a-i444e.pdf