THE City Agriculturist Office (Cagro) clarified the issue of the low lanzones harvest during the ISpeak media forum at the Davao City Hall held on August 10.
Cagro Head Edgardo Haspe said that the cause behind the lanzones shortage is the impact of an emerging pest called the Mussle scale insect (Mussel scale) rather than the extensive area used for banana plantations.
“Igoon gyud ta ug sakit katong Scale Insect. Maong ang ubang lanzones ga recover pa. In fact katong mga karaan na lanzones mangamatay jud. Mao na dli na abunda ang lanzones unlike before nga barato kaayo (The primary factor affecting our lanzones is the scale insect (Mussel scale) infestation. As a result, some lanzones trees are still in the process of recovery. In fact, even older lanzones trees have perished. This scarcity of lanzones is not as abundant as it used to be, and prices have consequently risen)," Haspe said.
Meanwhile, efforts are underway to aid the recovery of lanzones using biocon agents to manage pests and control the mussel scale population.
“Mao na ang mga variety nato nga lanzones. Our lanzones are being brought to other places like Cebu and Manila. Mao ng wala naga barato kay wala nay lanzones, wa pay harvest a laing region, davao region lang. That’s why attractive ang iyang presyo. Ang ubang lanzones naman nato naa sa Calinan, Saloy (That’s why our lanzones varietes are being brought to other places like Cebu, Manila. That's why their prices have not dipped because other regions have not yet harvested their lanzones, only in Davao Region where there is a harvest of lanzones. That’s why its prices are attractive. Our other lanzones are planted in Calinan, Saloy)," Haspe added.
Aside from addressing the limited lanzones supply, Haspe assured that ample mangosteen, rambutan, and lanzones would be available for the Kadayawan Festival. This is facilitated by the durian harvest in the low-elevation areas of Tugbok and Toril.
Unfortunately, the high-elevation areas' peak harvest may be too late for the celebration.
He noted that the premium durians destined for export might become scarce in the local market due to increasing demand from international buyers.
Haspe, however, reiterated there wouldn't be a shortage of fruits for the festival this year, unlike the previous year's experience, attributing this to factors such as the awaited highland harvest and the exportation of high-quality durians.
"Dili ta ma-short, compared before nga short gyud kaayo ta sa atong durian (We are taking measures to ensure that we won't face shortages, unlike the significant shortage we encountered in durian supplies in the past)," Haspe added. (RGP with reports from Shania Halasan Jazul/NDDU Intern)