1500-million fund sought for mango industry promotion, development

Deputy Speaker and AAMBIS-OWA party-list Rep. Sharon Garin has sought the establishment of a P500-million Philippine Mango Development Fund (PMDF) in an effort to develop and promote a globally competitive mango industry.

She said the proposed funding shall be used for propagation, production, research and development, post-harvest handling and processing, marketing and promotion of Philippine mangoes.

“It is vital that we develop and promote a globally competitive mango industry, to increase production and generate higher income for mango farmers, growers, traders and other stakeholders”, Garin said.

She proposed that the PMDF be taken from the existing budget of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Garin pointed out that while Philippine mangoes have gained international notice due to its superior quality and taste, its competitive edge is blunted by other varieties from mangoproducing countries such as Mexico, Australia, Thailand, and Vietnam due to a number of obstacles to production.

"One of the challenges faced by the industry is the predominance of backyard farms which accordingly poses problems to quality control," she said.

According to the Department of Agriculture (DA), 73 percent of the total area planted is owned by small farmers.

"Furthermore, the industry is burdened by irregular and relatively low yield, susceptibility to insect pests, diseases and disorders, among others," Garin said.

Citing the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), she noted that research and development may continue to offer enormous gains for mango production and address the problems faced by small farmers.

Garin filed House Bill 3538 or the proposed Philippine Mango Development Act of 2016 to ensure development of a five-year framework to help increase production of export quality fruits, produce comprehensive research, modernize post-harvest facilities and techniques, and formulate effective marketing and promotion strategies.

This will strengthen the competitiveness of the Philippine Mango through lower product costs, improved phytosanitary measures and quarantine protocols in line with the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), she said.

“While we still can, we must prune all obstacles and challenges which threaten to rot the mango industry unto its eventual downfall. The government must institute far-reaching policies that would genuinely develop the national fruit’s productivity, marketability, and viability,” Garin said.

The bill is pending at the Committee on Agriculture and Food.

Mango is the Philippines' third largest fruit export next to Cavendish Banana and Pineapple. It is considered as the country's national fruit and one of the best fresh mangoes in the world.