LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Agriculture secretary Emmanuel “Manny” F. Pinol vowed that the department will exert all efforts and use all resources to rehabilitate the Philippine mango industry.
The DA secretary affirmed his commitment before some 700 participants of the Luzon Mango Stakeholders’ Forum on August 11 at the Sison Auditorium.
Participated in by mango farmers and mango growers in different areas of Luzon, the whole-day forum is the second in the four scheduled mango industry summits in the country to include the just-concluded summit in Davao and the upcoming summits in Cebu and Guimaras this month.
Stressing that Pangasinan is among the biggest mango producers if not the largest, Gov. Amado “:Pogi” I. Espino III earlier said the provincial government will work hand-in-hand with the national government to further the cause of improving the status not just of the mango industry but the agriculture sector as a whole.
Based on previous reports 38 percent of the total mango production in the country come from Pangasinan.
Reiterating the need to unite and come-up with the first 5-year roadmap for the country’s Philippine mango development, Pinol stressed that solutions must be considered so as to achieve the needed growth for Philippine mango industry.
In addition, the agriculture czar also said that aside from strengthening the programs and projects for mango industry, the national government will seriously undertake the fact that ‘no importation’ will be made if farmers can produce sufficient products specifically rice.
The national government, Pinol added, has also set its sight in finishing all farm-to market-roads projects to further boost agriculture being the main industry in the country.
Various topics were tackled during the forum such as the Philippine mango Industry Situation:Supply and Demand, Issues and Concerns, Initiatives and Mindanao Resolutions; Post Harvest Applications for Mango to Extend Shelf Life; Best Mango Production Technology and Cultural Practices Mindanao Experience: Management Aspect and Testimonies; Demand of Fresh Mangoes for Processing; Demand of Fresh Mangoes for Export; Sanitary and Phytosanitary Issues on Mango Exportation; DA Credit Programs on Mango Fruit Production Crop Insurance; Update on Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) Programs Regarding Mango Development; Best Mango Production Technology and Cultural Practices Isabela Experience: Management Aspect.
During the forum, the draft of the five-year National Mango Rehabilitation and Development Plan was presented.
Another highlight of the event was the signing of resolutions by industry leaders and turn-over of signed copy of the resolution to the agriculture department.
Among the invited guests include: Pangasinan 4th District Representative Christopher V. P. De Venecia, DA Undersecretary Evelyn G. Lavina, DA Reg’l Dir. Lucrecio R. Alviar, among many others.
By Dexter A. See
