There will be no shortage of supply of durian this Kadayawan.
This according to Davao Durian Industry Development Council (DDIDC) President Candelario “Larry” Miculob.
Pricing at P60-P50 per kilo, durians of Davao City is at stable production compared to the oversupply in previous years that drops durian price down to P20 per kilo.
However, the long dry spell from 2018 up until the first quarter of 2019 caused the Durian flowers to fall off from trees lowering the fruit’s production for this year.
“The council is looking at other potential planting areas in Paquibato, Calinan, Tugbok, Toril and portion of Marilog District,” Miculob said.
He added that Baguio District is allotting 500 hectares of land for durian production adding to Davao City’s current 3000 hectares. Baguio District also has rich volcanic soil and good climate making it highly suitable for growing 78,000 durian trees.
DDIDC has recorded 6,000 hectares of durian farms in the region producing 40 tons a year. Half of which is from Davao City.
DDIDC is also expecting to increase the Durian production this year with the help of City Agriculture’s Office (CAO) and Department of Agriculture (DA) XI’s ‘The Durian 500 Program’, Miculob mentioned.
The Department of Agriculture XI – High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP), in collaboration with the City Agriculture’s Office, has launched The Durian 500 Program last May 2019 to increase the production of Durian and to reach tribal communities through setting up Durian plantations in their areas.
Miculob is looking forward, with the help of the government program, that the increase of durian supply will address the high demand of the fruit both domestic and abroad.
