KIDAPAWAN CITY, Cotabato Province (PIA) — The provincial government of Cotabato continues to extend assistance to mango growers to strengthen the agriculture sector and maintain food security in the area.
In addition to providing agricultural inputs and training to farmers, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist has also ensured a potential market for fresh mangoes as well as mango-processed products.
Gov. Emmylou Mendoza assured farmers in all her visits that the provincial government is attuned to the national government’s endeavor to promote food sufficiency and progress, particularly in agricultural areas.
With this, she expressed confidence that the provision of agricultural assistance would continue to help the province’s primary workforce.
“Ang kinabuhi sa atong mag-uuma ang sumasalamin sa kakusog sa atong probinsya. Ang ‘Serbisyong Totoo’ nagbubo og mga programa aron itaas ang morale ug suporta para sa mga farmers,” she emphasized.
(Our farmers’ lives reflect the province’s strength. ‘Serbisyong Totoo’ offers programs to raise morale and support for farmers.)
The province’s recent mango harvest festival, now in its second year, has also helped mango growers increase their income, with total sales of P469,620 for 6,375 kilograms of fresh mangoes.
According to the Office of Provincial Agriculturist records, the sales benefited eight mango associations from the municipalities of Pigcawayan, Midsayap, Aleosan, Pikit, Carmen, Matalam, M’lang, and Tulunan.
Chona Gomez, a mango grower in M’lang municipality, expressed gratitude for the provincial government’s efforts in providing farmers with an avenue to sell their produce.
“After 30 years of mango fruit farming, we have only recently received attention,” Gomez said. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the government, particularly to Governor Lala and the OPAg, as well as to Provincial Mango Coordinator Alex Paez, for their invaluable assistance.”
Fruit grower Francis Lanaria, who is also a contractor in the municipality of M’lang, praised the provincial government for providing training that would improve their harvest.
“Noong una, taga-Davao del Sur pa ang nagpapabunga ng mga mangga dito sa atin ngunit dahil sa nabigyan kami ng trainings para sa pagpapabunga hanggang sa pagharvest, kami na ngayon ang nagpapabunga sa mangga ng Cotabato,” he said.
(Initially, we relied on mangoes from Davao del Sur to supply us, but after receiving training on fertilization and harvesting, we now produce mangoes for Cotabato.)
He disclosed that every time there is a mango harvest festival, enthusiasts and participants also showcase the sweetest mango, biggest mango, best processed mango product, best fresh mango for export, and best display booth.
The annual event also included an eat-all-you-can activity where the public could sample the province’s mangoes for a nominal fee of P100. (SJDM – PIA Cotabato Province)
