The Department of agriculture has provided Php 10 million in financial grants to the dragon fruit industry in the Province of Guimaras.
Department of Agriculture Region 6 Agri-Business and Marketing Assistance Division Chief Maria Teresa Solis announced the "good news" during the International Business Forum on Dragon Fruit Farming held last August 10, 2023 at Olivia's Kitchen, San Miguel, Jordan, Guimaras.
The grants were given under DA's High Value Crops Development Program that promotes the production, processing, marketing and distribution of high value crops.
Solis said that the financial aid will be used for fertilizer, planting materials, crates and trainings for dragon fruit farmers in the island.
Solis also assured the support of the agency's Agri-Business and Marketing Assistance Division to expand the market of dragon fruit and dragon fruit value added products.
"Very important gid that we should know the market of our commodity that we are going to produce. Indi kita mag-produce kung wala market… wala sure market. Kay usually ma-produce kita and then later on ta lang pangitaon ang market kay gali wala man market. But dragon fruit is very promising because of its nutrients," Solis said.
Guimaras dragon fruit farmers were elated with the help provided by the agency.
Mr. Bonifacio Tespoer, president, Guimaras Dragon Fruit Growers Association, said that they did not expect the financial grant of the Department of Agriculture nevertheless, they are grateful.
He appealed to the agency to provide them a cold storage facility because this is what they need the most according to Tespoer.
Mr. Alvin Nava, provincial agriculturist, said that the financial grant is a big boost for the dragon fruit industry in the province.
The assistance will expand the dragon fruit plantation in Guimaras which will also result in higher production according to Nava.
The Province of Guimaras has just concluded the 10-day festivities for the Dragon Fruit Fest Year 2 which aims to position dragon fruit as an emerging high value crop and tourism event destination attraction in the Province of Guimaras.
