The Visayas Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Program (ViCARP) member institutions participated in the Regional Jackfruit Stakeholders Forum sponsored by the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office 8 on May 23-24, 2023 at the Hotel Consuelo, One Star Events Place, Tacloban City.
The forum aimed to create the Regional Jackfruit Industry Development Council, to be headed by a private sector representative, who will push forward the development agenda and revisit/finalize the regional jackfruit industry development roadmap for 2023-2028.
Dr. Andrew Rodolfo T. Orais, Regional Executive Director of DA-RFO8, emphasized in his inspirational message that the national government poured their full support to reinvigorate the jackfruit industry through passing a bill called Jackfruit Development Act which is authored by Congressman Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Among the CMIs who participated in the forum were the Visayas State University (VSU), Eastern Samar State University (ESSU), Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU), Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center 8 (ATI-RTC8), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Local Government Unit-Ormoc City (LGU-Ormoc).
A number of jackfruit growers, processors, nursery operators, consolidators, and youth farmer representatives all over Region 8 also took part during the forum and showed their commitment to collaborate to position Region 8 as number 1 producers of EVIARC Sweet jackfruit.
Dr. Elvira C. Torres, DA-RFO8 Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations, showed the state of the EV jackfruit. To achieve our dream to be the top 1 producer, there is a need to plant 156 trees/ha at an average of 10 fruits/tree and 10kgs/fruit to attain 15.6 MT/ha, Dr. Torres stressed. With the existing jackfruit plantation in Region 8, an additional of 216has should be planted to produce same as that of number 1 producing region such as Bicol Region, she added.
On the other hand, Mr. Joseph A. Viernesto, Jr., the purchasing manager of Dizon Group of Companies, gave an overview on the great market for jackfruit to inspire growers and stakeholders to plant and produce more. Mr. Viernesto announced that they need 168MT of fresh jackfruit annually. As of to date, they were able to purchase 72MT fresh jackfruit from Mahaplag and Jaro jackfruit growers. Dizon Group of Companies is a legit supplier of fresh fruits and vegetables to big supermarkets in the Philippines.
Meanwhile, to support the vision for jackfruit industry, Dr. Maria Juliet C. Ceniza, Vice President for Research, Extension, and Innovation, presented the existing initiatives to intensify the jackfruit industry and the ways forward as additional input for the Regional Jackfruit Industry Development Roadmap. She emphasized the proposal to create the national Langka Center for Research and Development as well as the five (5) internationalization projects under the Futures Thinking Program for jackfruit. “These initiatives will lead to the attainment of the region’s vision to have a Langka all year round 2030”, Dr. Ceniza stressed.
Before the day 1 ended, Dir. Orais officiated the oathtaking ceremony for the newly-elected Regional Jackfruit Industry Development Council which composed of the following:
Chairman: Engr. Miguel Pedroso, Farmer Director
Co-Chairman: Dir. Andrew Rodolfo Orais-RED, DAFRO8
Vice Chairman: Dr. Carlos Dela Cruz, Jackfruit Grower
Co-Vice-Chairman: DTI Regional Director
Secretariat: DA RFO8-High Value Crops Development Program
Members
Producers:
Vanessa Abuyabor
Liduvina Sano
Conceso Calaling
Arnel Seco
Silvestre Abayan
Processors:
Marichar Laurente
Jackfruit Farmers Association:
Sivestre Abayan
Arnel Seco
Gravela Rele
Nursery Operators:
Elmer Bryan Emperon
Webina Rodriguez
Consolidators:
Tanny Sano
Youth Sector:
Mark Durotan
Learning Site:
Pruto Adora
Member Agencies: Department of Agriculture RFO8
Bureau of Plant Industry RO 8
Department Of trade and Industry RO 8
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority RO8
Department of Science and Technology
Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center 8
National Economic and Development Authority RO8
Philippine Statistics Authority RO8
Provincial/City/Municipal Local Government Unit
Visayas State University (VSU)
Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU)
NorthWestern Samar Stater University (NwSSU)
University of Eastern Philippines (UEP)
Southern Leyte State University (SLSU)
Dir. Orais, proposed to the newly-elected council to draft the first resolution to declare May 23 as the official Regional Jackfruit Day.