By Manny Piñol
Jordan, Guimaras – The world famous Guimaras Mango, which is set to penetrate the Eastern European Market soon, particularly Russia, will be featured in an 8-day Mango Expo at the Department of Agriculture (DA) Central Office Compound in Quezon City starting May 2.
An estimated 5 to 10 metric tons will be put on sale during the Expo by Guimaras Mango farmers themselves who will be assisted by the DA Agriculture and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS) and DA Regional Field Office Western Visayas.
“Before the Russians enjoy the sweetness of the Guimaras Mango, we would like our kababayans from Metro Manila to get a taste of this world renowned variety,” said Guimaras Board Member Dan Elby Habaña who has worked with the DA to promote the product.
Guimaras Governor Samuel Gumarin on Thursday expressed appreciation to the DA for the support in the promotions and marketing of the Guimaras mango.
In my recent trip to Belarus and Russia, Philippine Ambassador Carlos Sorreta linked up the DA with a Russian fruit importing company, Exim Pacific, which expressed interest in buying two metric tons of Guimaras Mango weekly.
DA Region Executive Director Remelyn Recoter is now working on the export requirements for Guimaras Mango and coordinating closely with the Bureau of Plant Industry for the Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary documents.
During a caucus with the Guimaras Mango farmers on Thursday, the DA through the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) earmarked P1-M as working capital for the cooperative which will consolidate the farmers’ produce.
The DA has also committed to address the other issues confronting the production of Guimaras Mango.
After the Guimaras Mango Expo, the DA will feature mangoes from other provinces, especially Zambales, where the fruit is reputed to be just as sweet as the Guimaras variety.
Guimaras Mangoes on sale during the Expo will be placed in ready to pick up fruit boxes with 2 to 5 kilos per box.
(Photos of Guimaras Mango on display in a store in the island taken by DA RAFID Western Visayas.)
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