The signing of memorandum of understandings (MOUs) to expand the market and production of the Davao durian highlighted the second day of the 1st Philippine Asia Durian Summit on Thursday.
The Durian Farm Management Project between Planters Products Philippines and RegalTech inked a MOU aiming to establish a framework to develop a 500-acre Moasunking Durian Farm Management project in Cotabato.
The parties agree to engage in discussions and negotiations to explore potential areas of collaboration and to appoint each other as business partners.
As part of the collaboration, the parties shall also identify and evaluate opportunities for collaboration in areas of mutual interest.
Meanwhile, the Durian Industry Association of Davao City (DIADC) and Sabah Durian and Tropical Fruit Planters Association (MASDA) agreed to set up a friendly relationship by signing a MOU based on friendly cooperation.
The MOU serves to promote and strengthen the parties’ partnership, and to promote collaboration across several strategic areas concerning durian and other fresh industries for the benefit of both DIADC and MASDA.
The partnership also aims to maximize the overall impact of promotional activities on their respective market as well as to penetrate the other regional markets and the vast Chinese market.
DIADC and MASDA also agreed to support trade visits, and tourist arrivals from their respective countries for agrotourism, specially durian tourism; exchange technology and technical expertise, and support the import and export of durian, fruit-related products and planting materials via BIMP-EAGA (Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area) platform.
The 1st Philippine Asia Durian Summit, which opened on Wednesday at SMX Convention Center in SM Lanang Premier, is an inaugural event envisioned to be the space for the sharing of voices, insights, local and international durian experts and enthusiasts’ outlooks, collaboration, and fostering partnerships in the sector.
Department of Agriculture (DA) – Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) director Gerald Glenn Panganiban vowed that the DA headed by President and Secretary Ferdinand Marcos Jr., is committed to the improvement of the durian industry.
Panganiban shared that last year the country produced 74,000 metric tons (MT) of durian harvested from at least 16,000 hectares wherein 57 percent of this is from the Davao Region.
He said Davao del Norte, Sulu, Cotabato, and Agusan del Sur were reported the highest yield of durian almost 15MT per hectare, and more than 600,000 fruit-bearing trees.
“Literally speaking we have the low-hanging fruits here,” he said in his message.
Emmanuel S. Belviz, president of DIADC, said the event serves as a testament to the potential market of this fruit.
“We embark on this journey with a shared purpose and vision, to provide highlights in the industry in the ever-growing global demand for this unique fruit. Together we will explore initiatives gain valuable insights and secure the support needed,” he said.
