The Provincial Government of Zambales, Philippines, is engaged in product development to enhance the local mango industry in preparation for the Dinamulag Mango Festival. Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. highlighted the focus on improving production to sustain the industry.
The flagship program, now in its second phase, aims to revitalize the Zambales mango industry by rehabilitating approximately 20,800 mango trees with an investment of around US$720,000. This initiative is part of the four-year Zambales Mango Green Valley Project, running from 2025 to 2028, with a total budget of approximately US$900,000.
The program seeks to increase mango yield, encourage the adoption of modern farm technologies, and promote sustainable agricultural practices. Phase 1 established modern production areas as demonstration farms, while Phase 2 emphasizes the rehabilitation of existing carabao mango trees through enhanced farm management, fertilization, and irrigation.
Capacity-building and training, in collaboration with President Ramon Magsaysay State University and the Samahan ng Magmamangga ng Zambales, are integral to this phase. Ebdane noted that Zambales' production of 2.3 tons per hectare is below the national average of 12 tons per hectare, with the aim of meeting this benchmark. "This is the more important, and more difficult, part of sustaining the mango industry because we have to exponentially increase quantity without sacrificing quality to make local mangoes more competitive," Ebdane stated.
Engr. Domingo Mariano of the Zambales Mango Industry Council mentioned the establishment of three pilot areas to introduce new production technology. Last December, approximately US$115,000 was allocated to the Samahang Magmamangga ng Zambales for pre-spray clearing, flower induction, chemical application, fruit bagging, irrigation, fertilization, security, and harvesting at pilot farms.
Phase 3, starting next year, will focus on propagating the Sweet Elena variety from Sta. Cruz, Zambales, known as the world's sweetest mango. A mango training center and post-harvest processing facility are also being developed to enhance education and production standards.
The Zambales Mango Green Valley Project is ongoing, considering marketing components like branding and exportation, along with greenhouse cultivation. "We will be constantly refining and updating this program as we go along," Ebdane remarked.
Source: Daily Tribune