DA seeks to intensify mango production
STA. BARBARA—Acknowledging mango’s comparative advantage in both domestic and international markets, the Department of Agriculture has decided to expand and intensify its support for mango production in Region 1.
In an interview, Dr. Paz Mones, the regional technical director for operations of the Department of Agriculture- Regional Field Office 1 (DA-RFO1), said mango is already a priority commodity under the Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP).
Pangasinan is the top mango producer in the region, producing about 35% of the total regional output.
PRDP has two components, the infrastructure development (I-Build) which will be supported by 65% of the P27-billion national budget, and the enterprise development (I-Reap).
The region’s mango growers associations are now preparing projects involving production, post-harvest, and even processing.
The groups of AEWs under the Training of Trainers on Integrated, Cultural Management on Mango Production, preparing ingredients for their organic fertilizers in the Provincial Nursery Compound in Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan. The fertilizers will be tested on mango and other fruit-bearing trees.
According to Mones, farm to market roads and short bridges particularly in major mango-producing areas like San Carlos City may be proposed as she pointed out that there is no limit to proposals per province or per region but allocations will be served on a first come, first serve basis.
The implementation of the PRDP projects will start next year, she said.
PRDP will also address major mango infestations such as the kurikong (cecid flies).
ORGANIC FERTILIZER
Meanwhile, 16 agricultural extension workers (AEWs) from Region 1 seek to increase mango production by developing organic fertilizers under the Training of Trainers on Integrated, Cultural Management On Mango Production program.
The group has already developed various fertilizers, in lieu of synthetic fertilizer, like the fermented plant juice made from alugbati, kangkong, banana trunk, and molasses.
“The production of the organic fertilizers is really laborious but very cheap,” said group facilitator Aris Magat of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist.
One of the trainers, Paul James Gañola, said studies are being conducted on how to kill infestation.
After their six-month training to end on February 2105, each participant will act as facilitators in the field for the technology transfer to farmers.
Meanwhile, DA’s Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization is expanding facilities for drying of mangoes for export. (Johanne R. Macob)
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