THE Department of Agriculture (DA) in the Soccsksargen Region said farmers from Tupi, South Cotabato made their first shipment of solo papayas on Oct. 31 amounting to one ton, to a fruit distributor in South Korea.
“We are glad that our farmers from Tupi signed a deal with Nurida Co., based in South Korea,” regional Executive Director Milagros C. Casis said.
Under the supply agreement, Tupi farmers, led by RM Fruits International as the consolidator, are expected to export two to three metric tons of solo papaya every week.
“We are encouraging more farmers in Region 12 to think of the bigger market… this is one of the priorities now of the agriculture department,” she added, noting that recent efforts of the DA have been focused on boosting trade.
She said the South Korean exports are the result of RM Fruits’ involvement in the TienDA Farmers’ and Fishermen’s Outlet in Manila, where representatives from Nurida Company made first contact.
TienDA is a monthly event that brings together sellers of various food and agricultural products in various parts of Metro Manila. — Janina C. Lim
