Mango production expected to drop due to rains
MALASIQUI–The Ilocos Region, the country’s biggest producer of mangoes, will suffer a 30% decline in mango production this year due to the early and unexpected rainfall the past months.
Paz Mones, DA assistant regional director, said based on 2007 data, Region 1’s mango production was 445,049 metric tons out of the total national production of 1,022,399 metric tons, accounting for 39.5% of the total production.
However, she predicts that the region’s production will reduce drastically because of the intermittent rains.
“Our expected production for 2008 might be reduced by about 30 percent,” Mones said.
She said mango growers have been prompted to have off-season spraying either in June or July so that the produce will be ready for harvest in October or November to offset losses early this year.
The rains shed off mango flowers and the growth of small fruits are also retarded while spraying helps stop the falling of flowers.
On the other hand, Mones conceded that the rains are a boon to vegetable growers.
The DA is actively promoting an expanded vegetable production program by providing subsidy in the form of certified vegetable seeds, fertilizers and other farm inputs.#
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