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ViCARP joins Regional Jackfruit Stakeholders Forum; Creation of Regional Jackfruit Industry Development Council transpires

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.

 

 

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About ViCARP

The Visayas Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Program (ViCARP) is a consortium of agencies and institutions undertaking research and development in agriculture and natural resources in Eastern Visayas. It is serves as the regional arm of the National Agriculture Resources Research and Development Network (NARRDN) under the auspices of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARD).

Vision

A leading consortium of SUCs, LGUs and NGAs that catalyzes agriculture, aquatic and natural resources research and development for Eastern Visayas.

Mission

To spearhead the planning, implementation, coordination, monitoring and evaluation of agricultural, aquatic and natural resources research and development projects in Eastern Visayas

Contact Us

Visayas Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Program Office

Tel/fax: (053)563-7458

Email: vicarp_lsu@yahoo.com | vicarp.region8@gmail.com | vicarp@vsu.edu.ph