Agrilink 2017: Improved varieties, postharvest facilities key to profits
Increased exports in tropical fruits can fuel further growth in Philippine agriculture.
China just signed a $1 billion trade agreement that entails the export of tropical fruits such durian, banana, pineapple and mango, along with crops like coffee and cacao and poultry products.
Even value-added products like wine and liquor derived from calamansi, mango and molasses are starting make headway into regions like Europe. “The success stories of our tropical fruits are the result of our continuous improvement in the supply chain: selecting and developing better varieties, promoting them, and enhancing our competitiveness in the global market,” said Antonio Roces, president of Foundation for Resource Linkage and Development, a non-profit organization serving the agribusiness industry.
Candelario Miculob, director of Durian Industry Council of Davao City and chairman of Mindanao Fruit Industry Development Council, said“To optimize our fruit potential, we need to overcome the challenges of maintaining the momentum our products have made in international markets. For instance, if we want to export more agricultural produce, we need to identify and cultivate varieties that can withstand the transport and handling to service these markets. An example is the Cavendish banana, where it’s been the staple banana variety that we export.”
The same can be done for crops like durian, Miculob said. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that durian exports grew more than three-fold to 75 metric tons in 2015 from only 18 MT in 2013. “While the tremendous high demand for our durian is remarkable, it is also outpacing our supply,” Miculob said, adding that for most of our exported products, the availability of supply in particular areas during certain period determines the seasonality in their trade, which creates an unsteady supply chain.
“Developing varieties that can be cultivated throughout all season to contend with the demand, like what farmers in Davao region do, will help. Even if you have an oversupply of durian, for instance, it can be remedied by processing them into value-added products or extending their shelf life. That is where the importance of postharvest facilities come in.”
Postharvest facilities not only involves minimizing wastage during harvest. They refine the production process that results into new products, as well as prolong the life of our produce while complying with international standards.
“Carabao mango is a good example,” Roces said, “After testing and selecting thestrengths and weaknesses of various varieties of mango, we propagated the best variety on a large-scale.”
“We further developed postharvest processes such as hot water dip, vapor heat and ultraviolet treatments to comply with global standards like phytosanitary requirements.” Miculob said that mango products can be further processed into value-added products like aseptic and frozen puree, juice, halves, dried mangoes, concentrates, chutney and wine.
The Department of Agriculture aims to improve the country’s postharvest capabilities and maximize export potential by improving crop varieties. This is complemented by the participation of private and international organizations, from financial and infrastructure support, extension services, technology research and development to market information and other related activities.
Through the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (Philmech), the DA continues to invest in developing mecha- nization and postharvest technologies that our own farmers can use. Some of these include cold chain and evaporative coolers in high-value crops.
For mangoes, there’s far infrared and convection heating system for producing dried mango, and a controlled atmosphere technology that can store and transport mangoes and extend its shelf-life by up to 28 days. Philmech’s tramline system provides an alternative and faster transport system that allows farmers from far-flung areas to ship their products to trade centers.
This year’s Agrilink, Foodlink and Aqualink, the country’s the largest and premier agricultural trade exhibit organized by FRLD, will highlight how adopting improved crop varieties can help farmers increase their productivity and income, and how these can be achieved through yield-enhancing technological options, along with the latest machines and equipment, which play an important role in the whole marketing chain.
The event, which is now on its 24th year, is slated from Oct. 5 to 7 at the World Trade Center, Pasay City, with the theme, “Improved Varieties and Postharvest Facilities: Essential to Profitability.”
The event will also focus on Philippine Region XI, known to be one of the world’s leading producers and exporters of banana, papaya, mangosteen and even flowers. Regional focus will cover Southern Mindanao, Davao Oriental, Davao Del Norte and Davao Del Sur; as well as Sarangani and South Cotabato.
Supported by the DA, its regional units and allied agencies, as well as co-organized by over 30 agribusiness and food organizations, Agrilink 2017 will feature local and international products and technologies at the expanded exhibit area of the WTC, live animal and plant displays, as well as technical workshops and investment forums.