THE Davao City Agriculturist Office has assured that there will be enough supply of durian and other fruits, such as mangosteen, rambutan, and lanzones in time for the 38th Kadayawan festival.
“Kaya nato 50 tons every day of durian, mangosteen, lanzones -- various fruits kay daghan-daghan nata og available nga harvest (We can make available 50 tons every day of durian, mangosteen, lanzones -- various fruits because we have that much harvest),” City Agriculturist Office (Cagro) Officer-In-Charge Edgardo Haspe said during the I-Speak media forum on Thursday, August 10.
Haspe added that the availability of durian and other fruits is attributed to the harvest in the low-elevation areas in Tugbok and Toril.
However, the peak harvest of these fruits in high-elevation areas may be too late for the Kadayawan.
Haspe also said that export-quality durian in Davao may not be available locally with the increasing demand for the fruit with almost 10 exporters recently approved to ship durian from the city to China. However, the taste and sweetness of those with lower quality remain to be enjoyed by Dabawenyos.
Given the factors, awaiting harvest from the highlands and export of quality durian abroad, Haspe assured that the city will not experience a shortage of fruits this year for the festival compared to the previous year.
“Dili ta ma-short, compared before nga short gyud kaayo ta sa atong durian (We will not experience a shortage, compared to before that we really experienced a shortage of durian),” Haspe said. (CIO)