To address the declining mango production in the region, the Department of Agriculture (DA) will rehabilitate 110 hectares of mango trees in the Davao region.           

Based on the list submitted by the Samahang Magmamangga sa Davao Region (SMDR) to DA-High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP), Davao del Sur will have the largest area for rehab covering 63 hectares. This is followed by Davao Oriental with 20 hectares, Davao City and Davao del Norte with 12 hectares each, Davao Occidental with 2 hectares and 1 hectare for Compostela Valley Province.

Through the “Techno-demo for Rehabilitation and Productivity Enhancement of Existing Mango Trees in Davao Region,” the program will be providing assistance such as provision of flower inducer, foliar and granulated fertilizer, insecticide, fungicide, and plastic crates.

“The unproductive trees that will be rehabilitated should be at least 10 years old and above with location within the mango cluster areas,” said DA-HVCDP regional coordinator Melani Provido.

“Farmers who intend to avail themselves of rehab assistance must be accredited  members of farmers organization or cooperative identified by the local government units and SMDR,” she said.

Farmer-recipients are also required to attend training and must adopt recommended technologies on mango production such as appropriate fertilization and pruning techniques including good agricultural practices.

Initially, DA-HVCDP has turnover its rehab assistance to the officers of Habagatang Davao Mango Marketing Cooperative in a simple turnover ceremony held on August 30 at the provincial agriculture office in Digos City, Davao del Sur.

The co-op was prioritized as they have 1-5 hectares of old mango trees that need immediate rehab.### (Noel T. Provido, DA 9-RAFIS)