Blessings and good fortune, indeed, come when you least expect it.
Leyte’s new banner product, the Abuyog Sweet Langka (Jackfruit) found a prospective huge international market last night when, without any intention on my part, two top executives of Del Monte Fresh Fruits tasted it and were dazzled by the distinct taste and firmness of the jackfruit.
“This is fantastic. It’s not watery and it is firm without the pungent jackfruit smell,” said Del Monte Fresh Philippines General Manager, Danilo Roman, a Nicaraguan national.
HIs fellow Del Monte Fresh executive, David Chinchilla, also a Nicaraguan, said that the quality of the Abuyog Sweet Jackfruit variety, could make it a hit in the international market.
The two executives said they would like to start a market test by shipping small volume to their traditional fruit markets in the Middle East, Japan and South Korea.
“Please make sure we have the volume because the foreign buyers might order a huge volume right away and we may not be able to deliver,” Roman told me.
The “taste test” of the Abuyog Sweet Jackfruit last night was not intended.
The two Del Monte Fresh executives, including their Filipino land lease director, Almario Dacono, sought a meeting with me in my farmhouse in Kidapawan City last night to air their concerns on the relentless revolutionary taxation by the New People’s Army and their desire to expand their areas in the former conflict areas in Magjuindanao, Sultan Kudarat, Lanao del Sur and South Cotabato.
The conversation became very lengthy as we discussed other concerns like the establishment of a Gmelina Tree Farm which they would use for their wood.
They said they also wanted to expand in the Bangsamoro Areas in view of the improving peace and order situate.
That was when I offered them the Abuyog Sweet Jackfruit which they immediately fell in love with.
The Abuyog Sweet Jackfruit which I served them actually came direct from Abuyog. It was given to me by Acting Region VIII Dept. of Agriculture and Fisheries Regional Director U Nichols Manalo.
When I passed by Leyte on Saturday during a land trip from Manila to Davao City, director Manalo gave me two pieces of the Abuyog Sweet Jackfruit which ripened Sunday.
Right after the positive comments of the Del Monte Fresh Fruits, I immediately talked to Director Manalo to ask him to conduct an inventory of all farmers in Leyte, Southern Leyte and Samar who have planted the Abuyog Sweet Jackfruit.
The Abuyog Sweet Jackfruit was developed in the DA & F Station in Abuyog, Leyte several years ago and planting materials have been distributed to many farmers groups all over the country.
Should the market test promotional sale prove to be successful, the planting of more Abuyog Sweet Jack will be immediately undertaken to satisfy the prospective huge foreign market.
(Photos caption: first photo shows the Del Monte Fresh Executives Roman and Chincilla and their Filipino director Decono, taken in my farm house. Remaining photos downloaded from public websites.)
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