GUIMARAS – The Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 6 has allocated P10 million in financial grant to further develop the dragon fruit industry in this province.
The financial aid will be used for fertilizers, planting materials, crates, and trainings for dragon fruit farmers in the island province, according to DA-6 Agri-Business and Marketing Assistance Division Chief Maria Teresa Solis.
The grant was given under DA’s High Value Crops Development Program that promotes the production, processing, marketing and distribution of high-value crops.
Solis also assured the support of the agency’s Agri-Business and Marketing Assistance Division to expand the market of dragon fruit and dragon fruit value added products.
“Very important gid that we should know the market of our commodity. Indi kita mag-produce kung wala sure market. Kay usually ma-produce kita and then later on ta lang pangitaon ang market kay gali wala man market. But dragon fruit is very promising because of its nutrients,” Solis said.
Guimaras dragon fruit farmers were elated by DA-6’s help.
Bonifacio Tespoer, president of Guimaras Dragon Fruit Growers Association, said they did not expect the financial grant.
He appealed to the agency to provide them a cold storage facility because this is what they need the most.
Provincial Agriculturist Alvin Nava said the financial grant is a big boost for the dragon fruit industry in the province.
It will expand the dragon fruit plantation in Guimaras which will also result in higher production, he added.
The province of Guimaras has just concluded the 10-day festivities for the Dragon Fruit Fest Year 2 which aims to position dragon fruit as an emerging high-value crop and tourism event destination attraction in the province. (With a report from Guimaras provincial government)/PN
