MANGODavao Sur in full alert against mango pests
Davao del Sur is waging war not with lawless elements but with injurious mango pests. The provincial government and the Department of Agriculture – High Value Commercial Crops (DA-HVCC) program is strengthening the quarantine regulations on the entry of mango fruits, seeds, and planting materials in Davao del Sur. This came after a research study declared Davao del Sur as free from mango seed weevil and pulp weevil. Davao del Sur one of the only two provinces in the country declared by the Australian Government free from the two injurious pests. The other province is Guimaras.
“This means that mango from Davao del Sur now enter lucrative markets like Australia and US,” said Agriculture Regional Director Roger Chio.
Chio added that for the province to maintain its mango weevil-free status, it needs to implement strict quarantine regulations.
“Now, that the province is in full alert for mango quarantine implementation we need to intensify information dissemination so that people will understand the importance of strict quarantine ordinance,” Chio added.
As part of the quarantine protocol, mango growers from areas outside Davao del Sur are only allowed to pass but prohibited from downloading their produce in the province.
In coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP), seven checkpoints were already established along entry points in Inawayan, Sta. Cruz; Marber, Bansalan; Tacul, Bansalan; Malalag Wharf , Malalag; Baluyan and Bolton in Malalag; Bonifacio, Kiblawan; and Poblacion Caburan, Jose Abad Santos.
Chio said aside from strengthening quarantine implementation, DA-HVCC is also working on enhancement of production, marketing, and postharvest facilities.
He said that an Extended Hot Water Treatment (EHWT) facility will be established in the province for mango growers to have an alternative to the expensive Vapor Heat Treatment (VHT).
“EHWT is an accepted protocol in China as it can control fruitfly infestation. It can also control anthracnose. With this, Davao del Sur mango can expand to larger markets not only China but also in local markets outside Region XI,” Chio said.
Chio said that with the partnership of DA, local government, and mango stakeholders it will not be long for Davao del Sur to be hailed as producers of best and globally competitive mangoes in the country.
The finer points of Mango Consumption
Inside knowledge always helps, so this reporter called upon Deepanjana Pal, a wine critic in Mumbai who is just as enthusiastic about mangoes. The most important lesson: How to eat a mango, presented in a three-part mime. She first holds out a cupped hand, in which sits the imaginary glistening orange oval of a whole peeled mango; she then deftly flicks her hand at the wrist to propel the phantom mango against her mouth, which gets busy sucking the flesh down to the seed; finally, outrageously, she deploys the full length of her tongue to lick her arm, elbow to wrist, to recapture an inevitable trickle of invisible mango juice.
Glad to know that the New York Times can find space to focus on the most important aspects of US-India Relations in the Travel Section…
The Indian wing of DHL even offers a courier service specifically for mangoes, although the United States has long been absent from its list of destinations because of its ban on Indian mangoes. But the ban should soon be lifted as part of a deal struck by President Bush on his March visit to the country, which will also give India easier access to nuclear technology. Quid pro quo, as far as many Indians are concerned. “The U.S. is looking forward to eating Indian mangoes,” he said at a press conference, cheering up a local press that he had earlier disappointed by not seeming too well-versed about cricket and Bollywood, two other Indian passions.
Inside knowledge always helps, so this reporter called upon Deepanjana Pal, a wine critic in Mumbai who is just as enthusiastic about mangoes. The most important lesson: How to eat a mango, presented in a three-part mime. She first holds out a cupped hand, in which sits the imaginary glistening orange oval of a whole peeled mango; she then deftly flicks her hand at the wrist to propel the phantom mango against her mouth, which gets busy sucking the flesh down to the seed; finally, outrageously, she deploys the full length of her tongue to lick her arm, elbow to wrist, to recapture an inevitable trickle of invisible mango juice.
Glad to know that the New York Times can find space to focus on the most important aspects of US-India Relations in the Travel Section…
The Indian wing of DHL even offers a courier service specifically for mangoes, although the United States has long been absent from its list of destinations because of its ban on Indian mangoes. But the ban should soon be lifted as part of a deal struck by President Bush on his March visit to the country, which will also give India easier access to nuclear technology. Quid pro quo, as far as many Indians are concerned. “The U.S. is looking forward to eating Indian mangoes,” he said at a press conference, cheering up a local press that he had earlier disappointed by not seeming too well-versed about cricket and Bollywood, two other Indian passions.
