DAVAO CITY — The signing of deals to expand production and the marketing of durian fruit highlighted the second day of the 1st Philippine Asia Durian Summit here on Thursday.
For starters, the Durian Farm Management Project between Planters Products Philippines and RegalTech inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the establishment of a framework to develop a 500-acre Moasunking Durian Farm Management project in Cotabato.
The Durian Industry Association of Davao City (DIADC) and Sabah Durian and Tropical Fruit Planters Association (MASDA) also signed an MoU for friendly cooperation across several strategic areas concerning durian and other fresh industries beneficial to both parties. One of their aims is to penetrate the vast Chinese market.
The summit, which opened on Wednesday at SMX Convention Center of SM Lanang Premier, is an inaugural event envisioned to be the space for the sharing of voices, insights, local and international durian experts and enthusiasts’ outlooks, collaboration, and fostering partnerships in the sector.
Department of Agriculture (DA) – Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) Director Gerald Glenn Panganiban said that under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the DA is committed to improve the durian industry.
Mr. Panganiban said that in 2022, the country produced 74,000 metric tons (MT) of durian harvested from at least 16,000 hectares, 57 percent of which is located in the Davao Region.
Emmanuel S. Belviz, president of DIADC, said the event serves as a testament to the potential market of this fruit. — Maya M. Padillo
