P500-M fund seen to help revive NegOcc mango industry

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/business/2016/12/05/p500-m-fund-seen-help-revive-negocc-mango-industry-513330
• Sunday, December 11, 2016

By Erwin P. Nicavera

THE proposed Philippine Mango Development Act of 2016, which includes the provision of P500 million as initial development fund, is seen to help in reviving the mango industry of Negros Occidental.

Joyce Wendam, officer-in-charge executive director of the Department of Agriculture in Negros Island Region (NIR), said mango is an "export winner" that has high market value.

Citing the 2015 data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Wendam said Negros Occidental has 2,812 hectares of plantations with annual production volume of 11,631.25 metric tons.

It is lower than Negros Oriental’s 3,967 hectares of plantations with annual production volume of 20, 512.41 metric tons.

“Unlike in Negros Oriental, mango was not included as priority commodity of Negros Occidental,” Wendam said, adding that the proposed bill, if approved as law, is vital for the regional line agency’s move to revive the province's mango industry.

The Department of Agriculture (DA)-NIR official recalled that the province’s mango industry had experienced major setback when most of the plantations, including those of the Cojuangcos’ ECJ Farms in southern Negros, were converted into sugarcane fields.

Pending at the committee on agriculture and food is House Bill 3538 authored by Deputy Speaker Sharon Garin, representative of Aambis-OWA partylist.

The bill seeks to develop a five-year development framework to help increase production of export quality fruits, produce comprehensive research, modernize post-harvest facilities and techniques, and formulate effective marketing and promotion strategies.

“It is vital that we develop and promote a globally competitive mango industry to increase production and generate higher income for mango farmers, growers, traders and other stakeholders,” Garin said in a report.

According to the DA, 73 percent of the total area planted is owned by small farmers.

The industry is burdened by irregular and relatively low yield, susceptibility to insect pests, diseases and disorders, among others, it added. Under the proposed law, the initial budget of P500 million will be taken from DA's existing budget.

This allocation will fund the propagation, production, research and development, post-harvest handling and processing, marketing and promotion of Philippine mango.

For Negros Occidental, Wendam said the mango development interventions will specifically impact the province in terms of research and development.

In order for the province to revive its mango industry, Wendam said soil analysis should be conducted.

“We need to identify more favorable areas for mango production in the province,” Wendam said, adding that the DA is optimistic to produce mangoes like those of Guimaras.