MANGO CONGRESS IN MANDAUE CITY — The 14th National Mango Congress will be held on November 14-16 at JCentre Mall Convention Hall in Mandaue City, Cebu. Discussions will focus on efficient and sustainable mango production and increased investment in...

The 14th National Mango  Congress 2012 will focus on efficient and sustainable production as well as increased investment in mango tourism. The annual event will be held on November 14-16 at the JCentre Mall Convention Hall, A.S. Fortuna St., Mandaue City in Cebu.

The congress will address two serious concerns, according to Virginia de la Fuente, president of the Philippine Mango Industry Foundation, Inc.  (PMIFI) which is collaborating with other agencies to stage the event.

The first concern is the fast dwindling volume of mango production in the country. For instance, in 2007, the total production amounted to 1.028 billion kilos whereas in 2011 the volume had gone down to 778 million kilos. That’s a decrease of about 25 percent.

Another concern to be addressed is the low farmgate prices due to the volatile demand from major fresh mango importing countries, mainly Hong Kong. One of the proposed strategies is to promote mango tourism.

De la Fuente explained that fresh ripe mangoes can be best eaten where they are homegrown. So she said the industry leaders want to develop unique mango tourism-related projects that will attract more  tourists spending more money in the Philippines, which could ultimately increase the farmgate prices of mango.

Potential investments in proposed mango tourism-related Private Public Partnership Projects will be presented. One is cable cars bringing tourists to mango areas in mountain barangays for mango picking and eating. The cable cars can also serve as cheap means of transporting mango harvests.

In flat and low-lying mango areas, she said, horse or carabao-drawn calesas or simple rail system can be used, both for transporting tourists and mango harvests.

Another project is putting up uniquely designed and festive mango bistros or kiosks in tourist growth centers where fresh cold ripe mangoes and smoothies can be served with hot chocolate and native delicacies such as puto and suman.

By the way, PMIFI as lead organizer is collaborating with the Visayas Chamber of Mango Industry MPC  (VCMIMPC) as co-host/organizer. The Provincial LGU of Cebu and the City government of Mandaue are the host LGUs this year, with DA-RFU-7 and RAFC-7 as lead support agencies. The regional offices of DOST, DTI and DOT are the cooperating agencies.

One highlight of the Congress will be the trade fair and exhibits. Products, services and production inputs will be showcased in the trade fair. Agriculture Sec. Proceso J. Alcala will be the guest during the opening ceremonies together with provincial and city officials, government agency officials and private stakeholders. He will also be the guest speaker.

After the technical sessions on the first day, there will be an educational tour in the afternoon. Participants will visit the Profood Mango Processing Complex in Mandaue City, probably the biggest mango processor in the world.

On Day 2, Nov. 15, Jennifer Remoquillo, national program coordinator of High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP), will present the Mango Industry Road Map. Dr. Calixto M Protacio of the Crops Science Cluster of UP Los Baños will talk on sustaining mango productivity through proper tree nutrition. This will be followed by a product presentation on flower inducers.

Other speakers in the morning include Dr. Apolonio S. Sito who will talk on improving pollination and fruit setting with Apis mellifera bees. On the other hand, Dr.Cleofas Cervancia of UP Los Baños will tackle the same topic with the use of Trigoma bees.

There will also be discussions on climate change. Oscar Tabada of DOST-PAGASA will speak on the topic. Dr. Ireneo B. Pangga of UPLB will talk on pest management and climate change.

Dr. Celia Medina of the Crop Protection Cluster at UPLB will talk on myths and facts about Cecid Fly in mango. This is the culprit blamed for the so-called “kurikong.”

Asst. Sec. Dante S. Delima will talk on the importance of GAP in Agriculture. He will also present the GAP manual in mango. GAP, of course, is Good Agricultural Practices.

ovy Bernabe, president of Philippine Crop Insurance Commission, will talk on mango fruit production insurance program. On the other hand, Rex Rivera of Gen Santos City will talk on organic mango farming.

In the morning of Nov. 16, Antonio S. Rola, chairman of the National Mango Action Team (NMAT) will present the accomplishments of NMAT.

Virginia de la Fuente will also present the work and financial plan of the DA grant of P10 million to PMIFI and mechanics of project implementation. This will be followed by updates on postharvest technologies in mango by Dr. Rex Bingabing of PhilMech of the DA. Director Leandro Gazmin of AMAS will present the prospects in local and international markets.

To follow will be the presentation of proposals regarding mango tourism-related projects by various groups in the Visayas, Mindanao and Luzon.

By the way, 15th National Mango Congress will be held in Zambales next year.

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