Wednesday, April 11, 2007 Dolefil goes into blueberry production in South Cotabato
POLOMOLOK, South Cotabato -- Pineapple giant Dole Philippines, Inc. (Dolefil) has conducted an experiment on blueberry production to determine its suitability in South Cotabato province, officials said.
A top Dolefil executive, who requested anonymity, confirmed over the weekend the trial planting of the crop touted to be high in anti-oxidants, which slow the aging process.
“We have imported 12 blueberry varieties from the United States and three to four are showing promise,” he said.
The executive said if blueberry will be successfully tested, they would market them in fresh frozen form also in the United States.
Testing the suitability of the crop has been going on since last year at the Kalsangi district here, an exclusive residential area for top Dolefil executives that also houses a golf course.
The source said if the experiment will be successful, the company will cultivate the crop through contract growing schemes at areas with higher elevation.
He noted that blueberry thrives on a cool climate or an area with an elevation of at least 1,000 meters above sea level.
"We will transfer the technology to those who are willing to raise the crop if ever the adoptability test says so. We are very particular on the quality of the fruits," he said.
The executive revealed they are now doing tissue culture on those varieties that are showing promise in a laboratory maintained by six women.
"Blueberry has a very huge demand in the United States as consumers have shifted to it instead of peaches and the like," the executive said.
South Cotabato Governor Daisy Avance Fuentes hailed the company for its pioneering effort to find out the productivity of blueberry in the area.
"This is a high value crop that would enhance the province's image as an agricultural producer," she said.
In its website, the firm confirmed selling fresh frozen blueberries as a healthy snack item to be mixed with the firm's crushed pineapple and banana products and laced with milk.
Dolefil ventured in this town in 1963 and is maintaining at least 10,000 hectares of pineapple plantation through a rental scheme aside from the 6,000 hectares planted by contract growers.
Based on data from the regional Department of Trade and Industry, canned and fresh pineapple largely produced by Dolefil reached export sales of about US$696 million from 1997 to 2004 alone, or an average of US$99 million a year (around P4.9 billion).
Kevin Davis, Dolefil general manager, earlier said their locally produced goods have found its way to virtually every corner of the world, especially the processed pineapples.
Davis added that fresh pineapples are marketed in Japan and Korea, tropical fruit cocktail in many parts of Asia, the United States and Europe, fruit bowl in North America and Europe and nata de coco in Japan.
Fuentes wished the company the best of luck in its blueberry experiment, suggesting more work opportunities to the locals once it becomes successfully tested in the area.
Employment data released by the firm earlier showed it has at least 6,000 workers, 90 percent of which are paid in an hourly basis. The firm’s worker average service years are pegged at 18.
In Maasim, Sarangani province, Alberto Arquillano, municipal planning and development office chief, said Dolefil has been scouting the area for possible blueberry production.
"The town can provide them at least 50 hectares if the company will decide to grow blueberries here," he said.
