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Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Rubber, coffee dev't pushed in Mindanao
THE Department of Agriculture office in Central Mindanao is pushing for the development of rubber and coffee not just in the region but also across the island, a ranking official said Thursday.
Regional Agriculture Director Abusama Alid said efforts to promote the two products are expected to accelerate with a scheduled conference of various stakeholders next month in Kidapawan City.
"We are expecting around 200 processors, suppliers, buyers and local and foreign investors to attend the summit," Alid told reporters here recently.
Alid said the government of North Cotabato, once the region's premier rubber-producing province, would host the summit.
Local officials in North Cotabato are expecting to double the province's rubber plantation area, which is estimated at 20,000 hectares.
Zamboanga Sibugay has since overtaken North Cotabato as the country's leading rubber producer following a slump in market prices.
Change in land ownership brought about by the land reform program implemented in the late 80's also contributed to the decline of rubber production in the province.
North Cotabato Governor Emmanuel Piñol recently said his province was able to obtain P30 million commitment from the Arroyo government for the strengthening of the rubber industry in North Cotabato.
Meanwhile, Alid said that an official of Nestle Philippines would also discuss current trends and potentials of coffee in the market during the said conference.
In Central Mindanao, coffee is largely planted in Senator Ninoy Aquino, a hinterland town in Sultan Kudarat province.
Mayor Rafael Flauta said the locality has developed a 10-year development plan for coffee development, which he would present during the investment forum.
Massive rubber expansion
It was learned Wednesday that some 80,000 rubber trees would be planted in North Cotabato next year as part of the province's massive efforts to rehabilitate its crop of aging plants in a bid to regain its position as the leading rubber producer in the country.
North Cotabato rubber production coordinator Eliseo Mangliwan said majority of the rubber trees in the province is no longer productive.
"There is really a need to rehabilitate our rubber plantations considering the huge demand of such product in the market," Mangliwan said.
Mangliwan said the initiatives got an added boost following the allocation of at least P5 million from the Department of Agriculture for the production of planting materials.
The provincial government recently distributed some 20,000 rubber plants worth P2 million to the different localities in North Cotabato.
Mangliwan said the rubber industry suffered 10 years of neglect saying the government "has no program that aims to strengthen capacity of rubber producers."
Mangliwan said the Provincial Government has been trying to convince the various local government units to push for the planting of more rubber trees in their respective localities.
The province, known for producing tropical fruits like durian, mangosteen, lanzones and rambutan, among others, has 17 towns and the capital Kidapawan City.
The rubber industry in North Cotabato declined following a market slump some eight years ago, when the prices of rubber per kilo was only about P5.
The decline in rubber prices in the late 1990's was largely brought by the popularity of synthetic rubber.
"Natural rubber can produce medical gloves and condoms, unlike synthetic rubber," Piñol said.
At present rubber prices fetch P32 per kilo in the market, which means that a farmer could earn P70,000 to P100,000 per hectare per year, the governor said.
(October 17, 2005 issue)
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