Mango growers, private stakeholders, and local chief executives convened at the Sison Auditorium in Lingayen, Pangasinan, on August 11, 2017 to discuss issues within the mango industry and collaboratively craft a five-year roadmap towards Philippine mango development.
In his message, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol encouraged mango growers “to take this opportunity to look out for possible technology development for your fruit production.”
Piñol stressed that Philippine mango is one of the best mangoes in the world, that many foreign countries have expressed interest to import. He added that his administration will prioritize the increase of mango fruit production.
“The government is very serious in its intentions to craft a roadmap for the development of this fruit,” Piñol said.
“We need to stop ignoring the commodities our country is known for. We will exert all our efforts and maximize all available funding to rehabilitate the mango industry,” he added.
Piñol encouraged mango growers to group themselves and identify areas that will serve as a model farm or learning center for farmers who want to learn different techniques in mango growing.
“We will build a model farm with dormitories and audio visual facilities for our farmers. We will likewise set-up protocols to combat cecid fly infestation and all must follow these protocols,” Piñol said.
According to Philippine Mango Industry Foundation Inc (PMFI) president Virginia De La Fuente, the mango production in Region 1 has declined from 2009 – 2014.
“Though there is an increase in areas planted with mango, we experienced a huge loss particularly in 2016 because of infestation of cecid fly affecting more than 50% of the mango growers in the region,” De La Fuente said.
Agriculture Undersecretary for High Value Crops and Rural Credit Evelyn Laviña led the forum, which was attended by more than 500 participants from different provinces of Luzon.
Laviña stressed the importance of innovation and good agricultural practice (GAP) in mango fruit production program of the department.
“The development of the mango industry is the responsibility of everyone. Let’s embrace something that we know will help the industry,” Laviña said.
The stakeholders’ forum will continue on August 18 in Cebu and on August 23 in Guimaras. ### (Kristel Merle, DA-AFID)
