Pioneering Program! Pinamalayan Mayor Starts Mindoro Jackfruit Industry

The Island of Mindoro, a rich and fertile food production area which is just a few hours away from Metro Manila, will soon have a new agro-industrial enterprise – Jackfruit production.
Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro Mayor Aristeo Baldos, Jr. has started a Jackfruit farm in his hometown which could serve as a fruit and seedling production center for the whole island of Mindoro.
Initially, Mayor Baldos acquired 1,000 seedlings of the EVIARC Sweet Jackfruit, also known as Abuyog Sweet, to be planted in a 5-hectare area in his town.
His private initiative to start the Jackfruit industry was a result of the conversation we had by phone where he asked me what would be the best new crop to be introduced to the province.
Knowing of Mindoro Island’s problem with soil erosion and given its proximity to the lucrative market of Metro Manila, I suggested to Mayor Baldos the planting of EVIARC Sweet Jackfruit especially in the upland areas of his town.
By establishing an EVIARC Sweet Jackfruit Orchard in his town, Mayor Baldos will start the spread of Jackfruit farming in other towns of the whole island.
This could be a major agro-industrial activity for farmers in the island which will also contribute to the re-greening of the upland areas.
This is a pioneering effort and a laudable move by a local executive who thinks of ways to introduce new income earning opportunities for his people.
#GovernanceIsCommonSense!