DAVAO CITY — The mango industry in the Davao Region has formed an industry council to take advantage of export opportunities to New Zealand and other countries.
The Mindanao Fresh Mango Producers Forum, held Nov. 21 in collaboration with the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and the Department of Agriculture-Davao, discussed best practices and improving production, among other issues.
MinDA, in a statement, said the forum output will form part of the feasibility study on quality assurance systems for fresh mango being conducted by the New Zealand Embassy and NZ G2G Partnerships Ltd. (G2G) under a three-year co-investment project.
The program aims to help mango farmers comply with the sanitary and phytosanitary standards of New Zealand and other foreign markets.
The New Zealand Embassy’s Deputy Head of Mission Tim Stewardson is quoted in the statement as saying that his country “has a lot of experience in agriculture and we want to share that, with focus on Mindanao given its agriculture and agribusiness potential.”
MinDA said various mango industry councils in Mindanao will meet in December to organize a single body that will come up with a program for the commodity.
“We are looking forward to having this venue as the birthplace of a more organized, dedicated, and with a common vision, the ONE Mindanao Mango Industry Council,” said MinDA Chair Emmanuel F. Piñol. — Carmelito Q. Francisco
