New tech benefits mango industry

Scientists simply call it CA.

It stands for controlled atmosphere, in which fresh produce are stored to delay their ripening and prolong their shelf life, enabling them to reach distant markets by sea shipment.

"CA storage involves keeping fresh fruits in an atmosphere of low oxygen and high carbon dioxide in combination with low temperature," explained the Los Baños-based Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCARRD).

Last year, DOST headed by Secretary Estrella F. Alabastro approved the implementation of the S&T Anchor Program for Mango (Phase 2), which aims to develop commercial CA storage protocol for mangoes intended for export to distant markets.

Collaborators in the PCARRD-coordinated project are the Central Luzon State University (CLSU), UP Los Baños, Diamond Star Agro-Products, Inc. (DSAPI, an exporter based at the Food Terminal, Inc. in Taguig, Metro Manila), Maersk Line Philippines (a commercial shipping company), and farmer-cooperators.

Last Feb. 18, reported PCARRD Executive Director Patricio S. Faylon, "Carabao" mango fruits from Pangasinan were subjected to preharvest and postharvest disease management strategies to ensure a high degree of disease control during long-term storage.

The fruits were then stored inside the CA van stationed at DSAPI at the FTI. The CA storage van was scheduled to be opened yesterday (March 18).

"Together, we complemented each other’s efforts to realize our dream of exporting our ‘Carabao’ mangoes to distant markets using our S&T outputs," Dr. Faylon concluded. – Rudy A. Fernandez