Mindanao corn, rice farmers told: Try mangoes

GENERAL SANTOS CITY—Mindanao farmers, who have been suffering from poor corn and rice harvests, could still be successful in their farming venture if they would shift to mango growing, industry officials said.

Virginia Dela Fuente, president of the Philippine Mango Industry Foundation Inc., said shifting to mango could prove to be a boon to farmers.

“There’s unlimited demand for mango both in the local and global markets,” she said.

Dela Fuente said shifting to mango would not be a problem because Mindanao has a favorable climate for the fruit tree.

“Luzon and Visayas are usually battered by typhoons unlike in Mindanao, where farmers can plant the whole year round. So farmers must take advantage of this favorable climate,” she said.

Based on data provided by the Department of Agriculture (DA), Japan and Hong Kong remain the biggest importers of Philippine mango, accounting for about 89 percent of the country’s total annual mango exports.

Other markets for Philippine mangoes include South Korea, United States, Germany, Singapore, New Zealand, Canada and Malaysia.

DA data said the mango industry provides livelihood to 2.5 million farmers.

Mango, DA said, has become the third most important fruit crop in the country based on export volume and value, next to banana and pineapple.

The Bureau of Agricultural Statistics said dried mango exports are now valued at $7.5 million a year. Aquiles Z. Zonio, Inquirer Mindanao