GUIMARAS – The production of dragon fruits in this province has increased since 2019 and the Dragon Fruit Festival helps.
From six hectares in 2022, the areas growing dragon fruits increased to 28 hectares this year, according to Provincial Economic Development (PED) Officer Francis Gentoral.
Holding the Dragon Fruit Festival, which is now on its second year, is a big help as it creates awareness about the product, its production process, and technology requirement, among others, he said.
“Through the festival amo na ang isa ka pamaagi para mag-contribute sang pagpalapnag sang sini nga product. Diri sa Guimaras, the festival does not only attract tourists but also investors,” said Gentoral.
He said through the festival, Guimarasnons saw the productivity of the dragon fruit enticing them to go into dragon fruit farming.
Meanwhile, according to Provincial Agriculturist Alvin Nava, they have started seeing an increase in the production of dragon fruits since 2019.
He said from eight tons in 2019, Guimaras dragon fruit growers can now produce as much as 20 tons.
In fact, as of August this year, Nava said, they are expecting to produce 15 tons of dragon fruits.
The 2nd Guimaras Dragon Fruit Festival, with the tagline “Taste the Dragon Fruit”, kicked off on Aug. 4 and will run until Aug. 13.
One of the significant activities is the International Business Forum on Dragon Fruit Farming on Aug. 10 to be participated by dragon fruit growers and vendors under the Guimaras Dragon Fruit Growers Association (GDFDA) and scientists/experts on dragon fruits. It is also open for those interested from other provinces through the online platform.
According to Gentoral, they have invited speakers from Costa Rica in South America where dragon fruit technology originated.
While sharing information about dragon fruits farming, new technology, processes and case experiences from countries that have been successful in dragon fruit farming, the forum aims to inspire and entice more farmers to into dragon fruit farming.
“Sa Guimaras, maski gamay ang aton nga area but we wanted to produce sang quality nga world-class the way we also put emphasis on the efforts that we are doing on mangoes,” Gentoral stressed.
Meanwhile, according to Provincial Board member Felipe Hilan Nava, the province is also eyeing a long-term plan to further boost the dragon fruit production and other products in the provinces.
He said they are now identifying lands/properties that are not utilized or not well-utilized and once identified, they will try to invite the owners to cultivate dragon fruits.
In return, the provincial government will give incentives and help for the production.
“Sa tuod lang damo pa kami di agricultural needs sa Guimaras but iban nagabakal duta pero ginabay-an nila. If we could advise them to plant this and that, we probably don’t have to get it from Iloilo and at the same time, if we could have more we could sell it to Iloilo and Negros. We have to maximize the utilization of lands,” Nava added./PN
