The collaboration to enhance durian production capacity with New Zealand has been postponed. Councilor Marissa S. Abella, chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture, cited personal reasons for not processing the city's counterpart in the research, missing the August 31, 2024, deadline. The report has reached New Zealand, but further steps are pending.
Despite this delay, Abella noted the success of a mango research partnership conducted in South Cotabato. "Later on we could get that research for our mango industry pero [but] for the durian hopefully maybe we would try again in case we could get the research," she stated during the Aprubado sa Konseho meeting on February 11, 2025.
Abella emphasized the need for durian research to boost production in Davao City, aiming to match the quality of durians produced abroad. "So there is really a need for research to increase its export potential," she said.
Discussions on a joint research venture with the New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited were underway, focusing on high-value crops like durian. New Zealand was expected to contribute approximately USD 265,000, with the local government matching USD 177,000.
The research aims to avoid the return of exported durian, following recent issues with cadmium contamination. Davao's durian is currently exported to 12 countries, including China, Singapore, Japan, and others. In 2023, Davao's durian production reached 60,331.33 metric tons, up from 58,648.7 MT in 2022
Source: SunStar