THE MANGOES produced in the Island Garden City of Samal will be bound for Japan soon, the Department of Agriculture XI announced.
Wismettac Foods, Inc. of Japan, a trusted supplier of Japanese and Asian Food Products, paid a visit to the farmers of Ang Diyosnong Maguuma Winner sa Life (ADMWL) Sto. Niño Samal Farmers Association, which the agency described as a potential breakthrough for the island’s mango industry.
DA XI officials, along with Wismetta, conducted a site visit to the 60-hectare ADMWL mango farm to assess production capacity, fruit quality, and compliance with international export standards, including PhilGAP certification.
“Japanese buyers expressed confidence in Samal mangoes, citing prior tasting experiences and describing the fruit as sweet, high-quality, and highly recommended for export,” DA XI said in a press release.
Marie Ann M. Constantino, DA XI agriculture regional technical director for operations, and the technical teams from the High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) and the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD), welcomed representatives from Wismettac Foods, Inc. of Japan.
Samal mayor Lemuel Reyes and the City Agriculture Office emphasized forging partnerships with international buyers, such as Japan, to position locally grown mangoes in the international market.
ADMWL chairman Gregorio Abarsolo said the partnership, with the support of DA Davao, is in line with the association’s initiative to help farmers’ livelihoods.
Abarsolo added that the move is aimed at strengthening the identity of Samal mangoes in the local and global market.
DA XI is committed to assisting farmers in guiding and packaging export standards, and facilitating and strengthening market linkages.
“With more than 2,700 hectares of mangoes planted in Samal, stakeholders remain optimistic that this collaboration will lead to formal agreements and long-term opportunities for local mango growers,” the agency stated.
Photo: Agri Info Davao
