The Philippines ranks 9th among the top producers of mango in the world, with 2% share in production (FAO 2010). It is also the third most important fruit crop based on export volume in the Philippines, next to banana and pineapple. It has very high potential as fresh or processed export product to other untapped export destinations.
However, mango production in the Philippines is still constrained by a number of problems that limit its full potential. These include occurrence of pests and diseases, poor nutrition, and post-harvest losses that cause substantial reduction in fruit yield and quality. As a result, the country has experienced decreased volume of production for carabao mango from 738,660 mt in 2006 to 669,520 mt in 2010.
Despite the efforts of the Department of Agriculture (DA) through input assistance and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through product development, mango production still proved to be an expensive activity. High maintenance costs led to poorly managed mango farms.
In Bataan, carabao mango has become a priority commodity. It was crucial, therefore, to educate farmers on cultural management practices like pruning, sanitation, fertilization, and bagging as integrated crop management (ICM) interventions against insect pests and diseases. To address these gaps on mango production in the province, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD), through its Pinoy S&T Services for Farms and Entrepreneurs (PSF) as a technology transfer modality, scaled up its science and technology (S&T) farm on mango production in the province to the S&T Community-Based Farms (STCBFs).
The STCBF is a technology transfer and roll-out modality that showcases the effectiveness of S&T interventions to empower groups of farmers and fisherfolks. With STCBF, DOST-PCAARRD aims to benefit farmers through wider adoption of appropriate S&T interventions; sustainable supply of quality farm products and raw materials that increase farm profitability; community empowerment; better supply chain performance; and improved public-private academe partnerships.
With the collaborative efforts of the DA and DTI, the project focused on the improvement of the cultural practices of mango farms with trees that had not yet produced good yields because of high-planting density and poor maintenance. Through the technology transfer activities of DOST-PCAARRD and Bataan Peninsula State University, 15 STCBF sites were established in Bataan—seven for Balanga City and eight for Abucay.
The S&T interventions demonstrated in the STCBF included sanitary/corrective and center pruning, tagging of trees, fertilization, bagging, field sanitation, and use of spray guide for flower inducer and pesticides, which proved to be promising just after a year of project implementation.
Farmers who implemented the STCBF experienced higher flowering rate and fruit retention and lesser insect and pest damages. The flowers also proved to be more resilient to adverse weather conditions.
In terms of yield and income, the average yield of two production cycles increased from 3.36 tons (t)/hectare (ha) to 7.78 t/ha or by 231.54%. The average net income, on the other hand, increased significantly from P8,511.16 to P54,952.71 or 646%.
The use of S&T interventions in mango production is an effective strategy in improving farm productivity and farmer’s income. Improvements could still be done such as the conducting regular business or consultancy services to co-operators and mango famers, promoting and applying S&T strategies, and linking to local and international partners. Nonetheless, the STCBF on mango in Bataan has proven that there is a lot of promise in the mango industry and that Bataan can aim for the top spot as the country’s supplier of mango.
The project, Science and Technology-Community Based Farm on Mango Production in Bataan, is one of the finalists in the development category of the 2016 National Symposium on Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (NSAARRD).
Dr. Hermogenes M. Paguia, Director of Extension of the Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU), Abucay Campus, leads the project.
Held on July 27 at the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Complex in Los Baños, Laguna, NSAARRD served as one of the highlights of the celebration of the National Science and Technology Week (NSTW).
Initiated by DOST-PCAARRD, NSAARRD recognizes the outstanding contributions of individuals and institutions in improving the state of agri-aqua research and development in the country.