In the mountain village of Miarayon, Talakag, Bukidnon, there are four standing Avocado trees which could usher in a new agricultural industry in Mindanao.
The four trees planted in 2018 and now bearing fruits belong to the Hass Avocado variety which is in demand in the world market because of its taste and long shelf life.
South American countries, especially Mexico which is the biggest supplier with a planted area of 188,000-hectares, have monopolized the industry because they are the big growers.
In the Philippines, it was Dole, originally an American company which was recently acquired by Itucho Corporation of Japan, which introduced Hass Avocado over 30 years ago.
It was grown exclusively in three areas – Tupi, South Cotabato; Calinan, Davao City and Malaybalay, Bukidnon.
In 2018, with the support of the Department of Agriculture, Dole Philippines Hass Avocado gained access in the China market while negotiations are ongoing with Japan and South Korea.
Hass Avocado farming is ideal in the highlands of Mindanao thus in 2018, Dole agriculturists planted several trees in Miarayon to check its suitability.
Dole, however, was prevented from opening a plantation in the Miarayon Region because of a policy imposed by Gov. Jose Ma. Zubiri and Talakag Mayor Vergito Factura banning multi-nationals from leasing lands in the premium agricultural areas reserved for small farming families growing high value crops and vegetables.
So much interest on Hass Avocado has been generated because of its potentials but attempts to propagate it were stopped by the absence of planting materials.
In one of my engagements with Dole officials when I signified my interest in propagating Hass Avocado in the Mindanao highlands for the Green Mindanao Project, they mentioned about the experimental trees which were planted in Talakag.
Three weeks ago, I personally visited the area and saw the trees in the farm owned by Eleazar Guzo.
With the help of our tribal farmer leader Ryan Danio, Boy Guzo agreed to give us access to the trees as sources of scions for grafting.
Yesterday, I returned to the area again along with experts in grafting from my home city.
The first harvest was 700 scions which will be grafted to 700 rootstocks in my farm.
The grafted Hass Avocados will then be planted to become Mother Trees which could result in the exponential production of planting materials.
What seemed to be an insignificant act of cutting grafting scions from the four Hass Avocado trees yesterday could actually be a turning point in Mindanao’s agriculture.
Yesterday, Nov. 18, marked the birth of the Hass Avocado Industry in Mindanao which will not only provide livelihood to farmers but also start a massive planting of trees in the denuded highlands.
This is the beginning of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Program on Environment-Friendly Farming under the Green Mindanao Project.
Soon the bald highlands will be green again with fruit trees which will boost Mindanao’s economy and protect the ecology.
#KungGustoMaramingParaan!
#farmingiscommonsense!
#fromcommoditytoindustry!
#LetsChaseAnotherDream!
(Photos were taken by Mayette Tudlas and downloaded from Dole Phils. Website.)
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