Durian stakeholders from various research institutions, government agencies, farmer cooperatives, and private organizations recently convened for a consultation meeting led by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD).
Organized by DOST-PCAARRD’s Crops Research Division (CRD), the meeting served as a platform to validate the results of the gap analysis for the Council’s Science and Technology (S&T) Program for Durian and to identify opportunities for collaboration on research and development (R&D).
Durian is one of the priority crop under the DOST-PCAARRD of Industry Strategic Science and Technology Plans (ISP) Program. (Image credit: CRD, DOST-PCAARRD)
It also provided an open discussion on the needed Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials relevant to the industry, which will aid in crafting CRD’s Strategic Communication Plan For Durian.
Validation of research gaps for DOST-PCAARRD’s S&T Program for Durian
The S&T Program for Durian, presented by Commodity Specialist Ma. Cecilia S. Alaban, was reviewed by the industry stakeholders to validate the research gaps previously identified by the Council and provide recommendations that will strengthen the impact of the program. The said program targets to increase yield, improve durian fruit quality, and extend its harvesting season.
Stakeholders suggested revisiting the data showing the increase in durian yield when applied with S&T interventions, in relation to their experiences vis-a-vis farmer’s practice. They also encouraged long-term monitoring of the experimental field activities, along with their generated fruit yield.
Lack of technologies to identify true-to-type durian planting materials, particularly for the ‘Puyat’ variety, was also raised.
The Council will review the insights from the discussion for the development of Durian’s S&T Roadmap.
Crafting of the Strategic Communication Plan for Durian
While stakeholders expressed the need for IEC materials in both print and digital platforms, they recommended prioritizing printed materials, as some farmers have limited access to digital resources. It was also discussed that The Philippines Recommends for Durian, DOST-PCAARRD’s banner publication, should be updated, particularly the chapters on production, postharvest, and marketing.
During the meeting, CRD Director Leilani D. Pelegrina raised the activity’s importance in discerning the present and emerging needs of the durian industry.
Meanwhile, DOST-PCAARRD’s Deputy Executive Director for R&D Juanito T. Batalon highlighted the Council’s role in forging stronger and robust R&D linkages that will improve durian’s impacts on the agricultural economic landscape of the country.
Participants during the Industry Stakeholders’ Consultation Meeting for Durian (Image credit: CRD, DOST-PCAARRD)
The consultation meeting was attended by Hon. Marissa S. Abella of the City Government of Davao, Mr. Sylvestre C. Sales of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), Mr. Emmanuel S. Belviz and Ms. Mary Grace C. Belviz of the Durian Industry Association of Davao City (DIADC), Ms. Ronita P. Buenaventura of the Ugnayan ng mga Nagsasariling Lokal na Organisasyon sa Kanayunan-Mindanao (UNORKA), Dr. Gilbert A. Importante, Director of the Southern Mindanao Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research & Development Consortium (SMAARRDEC), Dr. Mel Chrisel A. Sales of the University of Southern Mindanao (USM), Dr. Lorna E. Herradura and Ms. Judith T. Simpao of the Bureau of Plant Industry-Davao National Crop Research, Development and Production Support Center (BPI-DNCRDPSC), Dr. Rose L. Catiempo and Ms. Leizel B. Secretaria of the University of the Philippines Mindanao (UPMin), along with key CRD staff, via videoconferencing.