Mango production down 30%
STA. BARBARA–Mango producers have confirmed the decline in mango harvest in Pangasinan this year as predicted due to extensive damage caused by Typhoon Cosme last year.
Prices, however, are expected to stay at previous levels of P45 per kilo for the carabao mangoes which the province, especially this town, is known for, according to provincial agriculturist Dalisay Moya.
Moya, in an interview with The PUNCH, said it is unfortunate that the decline in the harvest had to occur just when the United States Department of Agriculture Food for Progress released the results of a survey showing that mangoes produced in Pangasinan are pulp and seed-weevil pest free and thus ready to enter the international market.
Moya remains optimistic though that good quality harvests will still allow the province to meet export demand.
About 35% of the mango trees in the province were uprooted during the typhoon.
Farmers have since started replanting on their own initiative and with help from the Department of Agriculture, which provided seedlings.
Mango trees start bearing fruit after five to seven years when grafted while seedlings take about 10 years. #
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