(Photo courtesy of Pres. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.)
The administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expressed commitment to ensure high-quality fruits for export, including durian, which is part of the $2-billion deal with China.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) said the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and High Value Crops Development Program are improving Grade-A durian production.
The registration of durian exporters, packing facility operators, and growers is also being monitored. There are currently five licensed exporters, six licensed packing facility operators, and 65 registered growers registered in the Davao Region.
Durian growers and farmers are also covered by DA’s Enhanced Kadiwa Grant financial assistance, while those involved in durian pests and diseases will have training wil cultural management as one of the topics.
On January 4 this year, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. secured the signing of the “Protocol of the Phytosanitary Requirements for Export of Fresh Durians from the Philippines to China” in his three-day state visit to China.
The DA noted that Durian demand is expected to exceed P8.24 billion in exports in the first year of the “Durian Protocol.” China will import over 5.7 million kilos of fresh durian per season. – Katrina Gracia Consebido-ag
