STA. BARBARA–Pangasinenses can still expect to see ample supply of the province’s rated-mangoes in the market in the years to come but it will not be enough to keep the province’s standing as the region’s number one producer.

A 30 percent decline in the province’s mango production is expected in the next 10 years as a result of the devastation that the industry suffered in the aftermath of Typhoon Cosme last May.

The mango industry is estimated to have suffered P1.7 billion in losses.

Dalisay Moya, acting provincial agriculturist, told The PUNCH that the decline in production could be felt starting with the next harvest season in December.

Though some mitigating measures have been adopted by mango producers to rejuvenate the fallen trees, most trees are not expected to yield the same volume until perhaps next year.

Governor Amado Espino Jr., meanwhile, has identified priority areas for rehabilitation, particularly in the central part of Pangasinan, pending the launch of the full rehabilitation plan for mango industry through replanting by the Department of Agriculture.

Moya said Pangasinan’s usual 41 percent contribution to the total production of the delicious carabao mango type in the region will no longer be sustained.

Prior to the devastation by Typhoon Cosme, Pangasinan had some 500,000 fruit-bearing mango trees and some 100,000 need to be replanted today.

Moya said since it normally takes five to seven years before a mango tree bears fruits, the mango industry’s full recovery can only be possibly seen after 10 years.

“But there will be enough for Pangasinenses’ consumption alone,” she said. “But expect a rise in the market price,” Moya added.-#

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