September is considered a fruit season in Mindanao. Durian, marang, mangosteen, and lanzones are abundant in various regions in Mindanao, including Davao.
To make these fruits accessible to consumers in Metro Manila, the Department of Agriculture – Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (DA-AMAS) partnered with Maersk and MCC Transport Philippines to bring tons of fruits to the National Capital Region (NCR).
Maersk and MCC Transport Philippines are accommodating the first shipment of fruits from Davao to Manila for free with eight tons of durian and eight tons of mangosteen. These were from the farmers of Durian Industry Association of Davao City that will be shipped from Sasa Davao City to Manila Port on September 26, 2020, through the efforts of DA Regional Field Office Reg 11.
Accommodation includes providing trucks to pick-up and deliver the products from the seaport, as part of their service. The free shipment of agri products is their contribution to address the logistic needs of the agriculture sector in support of food security and accessibility.
Transporting agri commodities by land was one of the challenges the agriculture sector was faced with when NCR was placed under enhanced community quarantine in March. This opened several discussions on the importance of pre-positioning, government support to marketing and logistics, and strengthening partnerships with the private sector.
Recognizing that food security will also entail inter-island shipment of agri commodities to address both food sufficiency and oversupply in certain areas, Maersk and MCC Transport Philippines proactively offered assistance for logistics.
The exploratory talks between DA-AMAS and Maersk and MCC Transport Philippines started in June 2020. Discussions on special rates for the succeeding shipments of agri producers are on-going.
The Department continues to implement policies and develop programs that will help agri producers take on more roles in the value chain, including capacitating them to be able to bring their own produce to the market through the Enhanced Kadiwa Financial grant. ### (DA AMAS)
————
Reference:
DA Asst. Sec. Kristine Evangelista
Assistant Secretary for Agribusiness
0977-6987971
