AN official of the Davao City Agriculturist Office (Cagro) said there is now a huge market for durian with the accreditation of importers from China.
"Dako kaayo ang challenge kay ang market sa atong durian dli lang kay lokal. Kundili naa napud ta'y China karon. Tulo ang approved nga importers sa China nato. Naa pod naa sa abroad nga mga igsuon nato nga namalit diri, kuhaon ang unod nga naa pay liso, i-blast freeze tapos dalahon, kana gud mataguan siya og duha ka tuig kung maayo ang pagdumala (It is really a big challenge because the market for durian is not only local. We also have China now. There are three approved importers from China. We also have Dabawenyos from abroad who buy durian here, extract durian flesh with the seed and blast freeze it then vacuum it before transporting it to other countries. With the process the durian can be kept for two years with proper management)," Dario Divino, Cagro Focal Person on Industrial Crops, said in an interview with the Davao City Disaster Radio on December 28, 2022, adding that the blast freezing keeps the sugar content of durian intact.
He said the planting of the “Puyat” variety is being encouraged because of its export potential.
“Lami siya, then bug-at, and heavy fruiter pud siya. Ang bukad sa iyang sanga dili kaayo dako dili pareha sa arancillo, mao nga sa isa ka ektarya makapabuhi ka og ubay-ubay nga punuan (It is delicious and heavier [in weight], and it is also a heavy excellent fruiter, and its branches do not spread unlike the Arancillo variety that is why if you have at least one hectare you can have many trees),” Divino said.
He added based on the 2021 data, a total of 4,408 farmers have planted durian as a crop. The physical area planted runs a total of 3,388.65 hectares (ha.), and the total area harvested according to the 2021 data consists of 2,176.32 ha. with a total harvest of 12,929.63 metric tons.
“So far daghan naman ta'g durian pero naningkamot ta nga mananom gihapon kay naay mga area nga gipang-uli sa sagingan karon, naay plano ang ubang farmer mubalik sila'g tanom og lubi ang kalamang man gud sa durian pwede nato siya i-intercrop sa lubi, i-intercrop sa sagingan basta maayo lang. (We have a lot of durian but we still do our best to expand because some areas were reverted to farmers by banana plantations and some farmers plan to plant coconut, which is advantageous because durian can be intercropped with it, and even with bananas, with good management),” he said.
Divino said the area in Davao City is conducive for durian production because the crop thrives in areas with an elevation of 800 meters above sea level and lower. The Cagro has a program for durian farmers in Baguio District, wherein in partnership with Department of Agriculture-Davao, farmers are given durian seedlings. CIO
He said that they encourage those farmers who have open areas located 800 meters above sea level and lower to coordinate with their office and ask about the intercropping technology.
According to Divino, by next year CAgro will start with its free training on durian planting and its proper management.
“So naay mga libre nga seminar ana nga himuon sa matag distrito depende nalangy na sa kinsa tong interesedo nga muadto sa among opisina nga naa sa nagkalain lain nga distrito sa Davao City. (So these free seminars will be conducted in every district..those who are interested may come to our offices located in different districts of Davao City),” Divino said. CIO