Region 12 farmers hope to top PH mango production, export in 2019

GEN. SANTOS CITY - A group
of mango growers in SOCCKSKSARGEN is now aiming to put Region 12 as the leading
mango producer and exporter in the country in 2019.

The Region 12 Mango Industry Development
Council Inc. (RMIDC 12) urged more than 200 mango growers and stakeholders in the
2016 Regional Mango Congress held in General Santos City, November 3-4, to help
the said industry achieve the goal.

Engr. Emmanuel Bartocillo, the president of RMIDC
12, said we are very optimistic with this cause… we are the fifth biggest
contributor in the country (mango production and export), but let us be
positive that we can top the country in 2019.

In 2015, SOCCSKSARGEN recorded 58,595
metric tons mango production and more than 17,000 hectares planted . (Philippine Statistics Authority)

According to Eduardo Amor, Vice
President for Marketing andamp Export of the RMIDC 12, Region 12 farmers of the
said commodity should first address specific concerns to advance the industry.

We must continue to venture for
greater solutions to solve inadequate credit and financial support, low
productivity, poor orchard management, and the lack of market opportunities,
Amor noted.

Solutions to
SOCCSKSARGEN mango industry constraints

Amor stressed out that at present, there
is a clear possibility for the region to reach the top of Philippine mango
industry with much interventions coming from Department of Agriculture 12
through its High Value Crops Development Program.

Aside from
the planting materials and production facilities extended by the agency,
seminars and conferences are continuously provided to growers.

In fact,
the 2016 Regional Mango Congress paved the way to update the farmers of current
technologies. These include the canopy management and mango plant nutrition and
insect resistance management (IRM) which were tackled by experts from the
University of the Philippines-Los Baños.

The
Fertilizer and Pesticides Authority Regulations on Mango Flower Inducers and
Judicious Use of Pesticides topic was also discussed to them.

Aside from
recent technology updates, financing opportunities are now easily within reach
by farmers. The government opens many credit, financing and insurance programs.

The Agricultural
Credit Policy Council has a micro financing program for mango. The Land Bank of
the Philippines has also two financing options for mango where farmers can
choose from its regular lending window and special credit and investment
facilities.

Philippine
Rural Development Project (PRDP), a special project by the DA, is also open to
bring in more support to the mango industry. In September, the Regional Project
Advisory Board of PRDP already approved the P17-M mango production enhancement
and marketing project for industry stakeholders of the said commodity in South
Cotabato.

More mango market opportunities

The 2016
Regional Mango Congress also yielded new market deals for the growers.

The SeaBest
Food and Beverage Corporation and the Truly Natural Food Corporation show off
their interest with the SOX mango growers as they cater the market deals
offered by the latter during the two-day event.

Aside from
market matching activities, DA 12 also assured the RMIDC 12 that more mango
growers will be included in the trial exports facilitated by the agency.

A year ago, through
the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division of DA 12, more than two tons
of carabao mangoes from Tulunan farmers (members of RMIDC 12) were shipped to
Dubai.