OPPORTUNITIES & CHALLENGES CONFRONTING HIGH-VALUE FRUIT FARMERS IN MINDANAO
Agriculture|November 2019
DURING OUR TOUR of leading farms producing high-value fruits in Davao City early last September, we were able to gather valuable insights on the opportunities and challenges confronting the industry. We particularly met producers of durian, pomelo, cacao, longkong lanzones, mangosteen, and marang.
Zac B. Sarian
OPPORTUNITIES & CHALLENGES CONFRONTING HIGH-VALUE FRUIT FARMERS IN MINDANAO
DURIAN PROSPECTS - There are bright prospects in durian production but there are also serious challenges that have to be addressed. Larry Miculob who owns a 16-hectare orchard of mainly durian trees revealed that there is a big and growing market abroad. China, he said, is a huge and hungry market for fresh durian fruit.

At present, Thailand and Malaysia are the two major suppliers of durian to China. One thing going great for the Philippines is that the peak durian season here is when the season in Thailand and Malaysia is already over. The peak period in the two neighbor countries is from June to August while that in the Philippines is from August to October. As such, the durian from the Philippines can fill the void when there is no more supply from Thailand and Malaysia.

Larry also observes a big potential market in the Philippines. As of now, he estimates that as much as 70 percent of Filipinos still don’t eat durian. However, more and more are learning to like eating the exotic fruit, especially in Luzon.

To take advantage of the expanding market, production of high quality fruits in commercial volume is a must. The problem today, according to Larry, is that most durian farms are small. As such, the fruits available are variable. To command a high price, the fruits should be uniform in eating quality, size, and maturity. Investors should be encouraged to establish plantations growing recommended varieties in big volume. The Puyat variety is recommended for large scale planting because it is high-yielding and it has good eating quality. Another superior variety is Duyaya developed by the late Severino Belviz.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM AGRICULTUREView all
TAKING THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED PROMPTED A COUPLE TO BUY A LOT AND START THEIR OWN FILIPINO DREAM OF FARMING
Agriculture

TAKING THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED PROMPTED A COUPLE TO BUY A LOT AND START THEIR OWN FILIPINO DREAM OF FARMING

ED AND CECILE GABATAN have been working in the corporate world for years. Like many other Fllipinos who have spent their work days dealing with paperwork and facing a computer, they too, dream of retiring on a farm someday where they can enjoy the fresh breeze and grow their own food.

time-read
4 mins  |
November - December 2021
URBAN GARDENER GROWS FOOD IN PLASTIC DRUMS AMID THE QUARANTINE FOR THEIR FAMILY'S FOOD SECURITY
Agriculture

URBAN GARDENER GROWS FOOD IN PLASTIC DRUMS AMID THE QUARANTINE FOR THEIR FAMILY'S FOOD SECURITY

IN QUEZON CITY, Daisy Cu, 46, began growing vegetables in their residence as an attempt at food security and self-sufficiency. Cu has been tending ornamental plants and fruit-bearing trees for years now. Her free time during the quarantine allowed her not only to focus on cultivating her existing plants, but also to produce vegetables at home using plastic drums. Cu's goal to provide food for their family is what urged her to establish a decorative, yet an edible garden incorporating ornamental and food crops. "With the use of the blue drums, I was able to achieve my intention of creating an edible but decorative garden plus I was able to repurpose the drums as well,” Cu explained.

time-read
3 mins  |
November - December 2021
YOUNG SEAFARER GROWS GRAPES TO GET BACK ON HIS FEET
Agriculture

YOUNG SEAFARER GROWS GRAPES TO GET BACK ON HIS FEET

BEING A SEAFARER is one of the most arduous jobs that one can engage in. Not only does it require a good amount of physical strength and endurance, but it also calls for a sound mental and emotional capacity. These qualities help them survive for months on end at sea, far from their family and the usual comforts they are accustomed to.

time-read
4 mins  |
November - December 2021
SOFTWARE ENGINEERS ESTABLISH FARM TO EARN PROFIT AND FOSTER FOOD SECURITY
Agriculture

SOFTWARE ENGINEERS ESTABLISH FARM TO EARN PROFIT AND FOSTER FOOD SECURITY

PHILIPPINE AGRICULTURE has had its highs and lows over the years. Some examples of its low points include oversupply in farmers' crops, and land grabbing. Meanwhile, it has also seen some success through the rise of farm tourism destinations, the establishment of farm to market roads, and programs aimed to help out the Filipino farmer.

time-read
3 mins  |
November - December 2021
SENIOR CITIZEN'S QUEZON FARM IS THE PRODUCT OF HARD WORK
Agriculture

SENIOR CITIZEN'S QUEZON FARM IS THE PRODUCT OF HARD WORK

ROMULO B. AYAG , or Ka Mulong as he is fondly called, owner of Ka Mulong’s Farm, had to go through a tough life to obtain the hard-earned achievements that he and his family now savor.

time-read
4 mins  |
November - December 2021
RETIRED CORPORATE EMPLOYEE IS NOW A FULL-TIME FARMER
Agriculture

RETIRED CORPORATE EMPLOYEE IS NOW A FULL-TIME FARMER

A LOT OF PEOPLE become farmers in retirement. One of them is Thelma Murillo, a retiree who is now a full-time farmer after working in the corporate world for more than 30 years.

time-read
6 mins  |
November - December 2021
MANILENO FAMILY WHO MOVED TO ALBAY FINDS SUCCESS IN FARMING AND EARNS OVER P60,000 A MONTH
Agriculture

MANILENO FAMILY WHO MOVED TO ALBAY FINDS SUCCESS IN FARMING AND EARNS OVER P60,000 A MONTH

LIVING IN THE CITY means convenience and other benefits, but it also entails bearing with traffic, noise, and pollution. For this reason, others may find urban life exhausting, making them yearn for a peaceful and healthy environment.

time-read
7 mins  |
November - December 2021
REMOTE FOREST FARM IN RIZAL BOASTS AN  ALL-NATURAL FARM EXPERIENCE
Agriculture

REMOTE FOREST FARM IN RIZAL BOASTS AN ALL-NATURAL FARM EXPERIENCE

IN HINDUISM, Vaikuntha is the name of the celestial abode of Vishnu, one of the three main gods of the religion who is responsible for protecting and maintaining life on earth.

time-read
5 mins  |
November - December 2021
FORMER OFW RUNS INTEGRATED NATURAL FARM IN ORIENTAL MINDORO, DONATES FARM PRODUCTS AMID PANDEMIC
Agriculture

FORMER OFW RUNS INTEGRATED NATURAL FARM IN ORIENTAL MINDORO, DONATES FARM PRODUCTS AMID PANDEMIC

LOVE AND PASSION are the two things that spurred Ramona M. Pastor, owner of HN Organic Farm, to fully devote her time to farming after working in various fields abroad for over 10 years.

time-read
5 mins  |
November - December 2021
FARMERS' DAUGHTER DEVELOPS A FARM RESORT THAT EARNS PROFIT AND PRESERVES THE ENVIRONMENT
Agriculture

FARMERS' DAUGHTER DEVELOPS A FARM RESORT THAT EARNS PROFIT AND PRESERVES THE ENVIRONMENT

PEOPLE sometimes have the false notion that farmers would not wish for their children to follow in their footsteps, or that the youth have no interest in farming like their ancestors.

time-read
3 mins  |
November - December 2021