President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. wants to upgrade the production of high-quality fruits, including durian which is up for export to China.
The Department of Agriculture (DA), which Marcos heads in a concurrent capacity, is taking steps in propagating the production of Grade-A durian through its Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and the High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP), Malacañang said on Wednesday, Feb. 1.
"The DA has been overseeing the ongoing registration of exporters, packing facility operators, and growers of durian, with five licensed exporters, six licensed packing facility operators, and 65 registered durian growers registered in the Davao Region, to date," Malacañang said.
Durian growers and farmer cooperatives have also been extended financial assistance and support under the DA’s Enhanced KADIWA Grant.
A training session for DA-BPI Plant Quarantine officers, inspectors, and other stakeholders on durian pests and diseases will also be scheduled by the DA. The training will include topics on cultural management to improve technical knowledge, further ensuring the quality of fresh durian for export to Chinese markets.
Marcos was able to secure the signing of the “Protocol of the Phytosanitary Requirements for Export of Fresh Durians from the Philippines to China” on Jan. 4 during his three-day state visit to China.
The President said because China is opening their trade to imports of durian and other agricultural products from the Philippines, "we can redress the imbalance in our imports and exports from China."
The demand for durian is estimated to be higher than the USD 150 M (P8.24 B) worth of exports during the first year of the implementation of the “Durian Protocol.” China will be importing more than 5.7 M kilos of fresh durian per season.
The durian will be exported from an initial list of registered farms in major durian production areas in Davao City, Davao del Sur, and North Cotabato. Potential areas for expansion will be identified by the DA to sustain the durian export.
The bilateral venture between the Philippines and China is seen to generate at least 10,000 direct and indirect jobs.