PH-Aus mango project yields good harvest

AUSTRALIAN Embassy Deputy Head of Mission Mat Kimberley with Atty. Leo Dominguez visited the Australian Government supported mango research project on Samal Island on 22 May, 2018 where they met smallholder mango farmers who are reaping benefits from a joint Philippine-Australia agriculture research for development project.

A team of Australian and Filipino researchers have been working together to develop crop management techniques to improve mango yield in Davao region. Mango growers face high pest and disease pressure, trees with a fast growing canopy that require constant maintenance, year-round high rainfall, and high costs of inputs. These conditions make it very challenging to grow a profitable quality crop with consistent high yields.

The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) provided A$1.1 million grant funding to a 4-year project which passed on farming technology that improved mango quality and size for Davao farmers like Oscar Cueva.

As part of ACIAR’s support, Cueva and other farmers attended seasonlong, hands-on training on best practices on cropping and postharvest management.

“As a result of the project, we learnt the judicious use of fertilizers and pesticides. Now farmers can operate their own farm and have improved incomes," Cueva said. Farmers have seen up to 60% increase in their yield and income.

Apart from the training, the provincial government is also assisting members of the Samal Island Mango Coop (SIMMCO) to explore opportunities to export mangoes.

Dr. Ana Notarte, Provincial Agriculturist of Davao Del Norte, said, “We are demonstrating to small-scale growers how best-bet practices could improve production and income - so that they can take care of their trees themselves and reap the benefits.”

“We are hopeful that we will continue improve how we manage our farm and our mango tress to produce more fruits so that we can give a better quality of life for our farmilies,” Cueva said.

In 2016, Australia and the Philippines signed an amended version of Australia-Philippines Specific Commodity Understanding (SCU) that expanded the export market for Philippine mangoes. The agreement builds on a 2013 agreement which created export opportunities for mango farmers in Guimaras, Samal Island and Davao del Sur.

“Agriculture is a shared agenda of Australia and the Philippines. It drives food security, poverty reduction and economic growth. We support the Philippine Government’s initiatives, especially to help farmers increase productivity and build their capacity to trade and gain better access to markets,” Kimberley said.

Kimberley visited Samal Island as part of the annual Philippines Australia Friendship Day celebration.

Philippines-Australia Friendship Week is presented by the Australian Embassy in partnership with the Davao City Government, SM Lanang, Qantas, and the Australia Global Alumni. PR