Davao launches festival to boost trading in durian

DAVAO CITY—Government agencies and players in the durian industry launched the Kadayawan Durian Festival that would focus on improving the production and marketing of the fruit.

This coincides with the city’s celebration of the Kadayawan Festival this month.

Remelyn Recoter, agriculture regional director, said the local durian industry is aiming to meet the 1,000-kg daily demand of Singapore by 2017.

To meet the demand, local durian farms must produce 10 tons of durian per hectare. The region currently produces only 4.4 tons per hectare.

“Singapore wants the products vacuum sealed but they are also interested in importing durian with shells,” Recoter said.

Thailand is the biggest competitor of the Philippines in durian production with a capacity of 10 tons per hectare.

The Durian Industry Council of Davao City drew up plans to address the needs of the market both locally and internationally.

Recoter said one of the plans is to secure budget support to help durian growers through nursery development and regulation and quality control.

“We really have to provide funds,” Recoter said. Recoter said an initial P7.6 million was allotted for the durian industry.

The Davao region provides 78 percent of total durian supply in the country. At least half of this is produced in Davao City. The rest come from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Sarangani province and Caraga.

Larry Miculob, chair of the Durian Industry Council, said the target to produce 10 tons per hectare is attainable.

“We have farms in Davao which are already producing 10 tons per hectare. This is doable,” Miculob said.

Miculob, however, said the local industry has witnessed a decline in harvest last year.

If the objective to increase production by 2017 is attained by the local industry, at least 40 percent of the produce will be exported and is expected to boost the economy in the region.

The Kadayawan Durian Festival will be held at the SM Lanang Premier Fountain Court on Aug. 10-25.