Rey Avila Mangarin
Looking through the lens on some important basic economic concepts like the relationship between supply, price and demand, and as well as the principal-agent principle in governance, this case analysis on the pricing issues in banana export products and the challenges encountered by growers and farmers in the municipality is conducted utilizing case study specifically document analysis. Six growers were interviewed on their experiences and perspectives on price changes and challenges while municipal agricultural engineer and the municipal information officer were also interviewed. A document analysis was also done by using the minutes of committee hearing on price issues and challenges. Analysis of the market condition was also analyzed through SWOT approach and it was found out that market concentration, poor bargaining power, information asymmetry, and externalities were existing. While existing government initiatives were highlighted like call of diversification of local industry, legislation of the price challenges, partnership with universities for research and development, subsidies for calamities, establishment of BioControl laboratory, and community reach-out program. This study led to policy memo to the legislative and executive body of the municipality.