To develop more land for growing bananas, forests have been leveled and large-scale banana farms built. The bananas grown here are chiefly for export to Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong. To ward off some insects and mold, various agricultural chemicals are sprayed on the bananas. It is said that the local people will not eat bananas destined for export. Walk down any of the side roads off the two main streets, however, and you'll find open lots where construction projects seem to have been halted.
Many poor people use the empty lots to grow vegetables.