News

Value-adding from mango is a booming enterprise in Davao
by Marlowe U. Aquino, PhD

"If I will to choose a commodity that can compete with other products, I will definitely go for mango because of the added products that I can derive from it increasing my production and income.”

Thus stated Mr. Dalmacio Ormo, farmer-leader of the San Isidro CARP Beneficiary Association (SICARBA), when asked what would be the product for expansion based on the Community-based Participatory Action Research (CPAR) on Mango-based Farming System introduced of the DA-Southern Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center (SMIARC) in Bago Oshiro, Davao City.

Since the first intervention introduced in San Isidro, Sta. Maria, Davao del Sur, the farmers did not have second thought when they were involved in the CPAR project with DA-SMIARC.

Based on the gains derived from the mango-based farming system, the farmers decided to proceed with the processing of mangoes for value-adding. These activities were supported by the local government and farmers. The processed products included mango puree, mango juice, dried mangoes, and jam.

With these products locally produced by the farmers, several agencies helped the SICARBA in its activities. The marketing was supported by the Department of Trade and Industry – Region 11, and the provincial government of Davao del Sur for the agribusiness development, including the market positioning of the products at the KMCC mall in Davao City.

On the other hand, DA-SMIARC continues to provide the needed technical assistance in the expansion of the CPAR project in other areas with similar conditions for productive mango enterprise.