DA plans massive infusion of seeds, other inputs for high-value crops

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is planning a massive infusion of seeds, fertilizers and other production inputs to carry on the growth of the high-value crops commercial sector (HVCC).

In a report to Secretary Arthur Yap, Ginintuang Masaganang Ani-HVCC national program coordinator Dr. Rene Rafael Espino is recommending the transfer of new technologies to growers along with the promotion of stronger linkages between fertilizer suppliers and farmers’ groups to maintain the high production of bananas, pineapples and other HVCCs.

Furthermore, Espino is proposing the enhancement of training programs on integrated pest management strategies and an increase in off-season production of HVCCs.

For bananas, Espino reported that the first quarter target of 1.76 million metric tons has been surpassed with preliminary figures showing production reaching 1.92 million MT, higher than last year’s yield of 1.59 million MT for the same period, or a 20.65-percent increase.

The Davao region topped the list of top banana producers for this period, with 714,271 MT in the first quarter compared to 643,495 MT during the same period last year.

Espino said favorable weather and the expansion of production areas contributed to the high growth of the banana subsector during the January-March period.

To sustain the high growth path for bananas, Espino is recommending enhanced training and implementation of integrated pest management strategies; provision of virus-free planting materials for ‘Lakatan’ and ‘Saba’/’Cardaba’ provision of mobile packing house for small farmers and facilitate linkages between fertilizer suppliers and farmers organizations.

Espino noted that for mangoes, the first quarter production of 176,905 MT was below the target of 224,738 MT because of the La Niña-induced rainy periods during the November-December months which led to the development of anthracnose that destroyed the flowers in major producing areas.

The Ilocos Region produced the highest number of mangoes for the period at 11, 758 MT, which, however, was below last year’s production of 125,078 MT for the area.

To reverse the negative growth, Espino plans to encourage off-season production by intensifying technology transfer through training programs and publications with emphasis on the application of integrated pest management strategies (IPM) for pest control and lower post-harvest losses.

Espino is also proposing that the DA provide growers with production inputs such as flower inducers, bagging materials and spray equipment; facilitate crop insurance and credit support; and set up hot water treatment facilities and packing houses for them.

Pineapple production of 486,701 MT during the first quarter was higher than last year’s yield of 445,039 MT for the same period, representing a 9.36-percent hike.

The increase in pineapple production was due to favorable weather and expansion of production areas which were planted during the previous years, he said.