JUST like other industries, mango production in the island province of Guimaras has been hit hard by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Guimaras is known for its sweet main export – mangoes.
Mango growers slowed down production in anticipation of poor market, according to Nonita Delgado, chairperson of the Guimaras Mango Growers and Producers Development Cooperative.
Even for this year’s Manggahan Festival, many did not set production targets.
“Pigado gid ang production. Ang mga farmers wala target para sa Manggahan. Nag-decide sila nga mag-reduce tungod pandemic. We expect nga wala sang tawo nga makadto or wala kami sang buyer,” Delgado said.
Their income plunged to almost 70 percent.
Of the around 7,000 registered mango growers in the island, Delgado said, more or less 90 percent slowed down production.
“Before pandemic, halos tanan nga farmers naga-induce (flower induction) kon maayo ang tiempo,” she said.
The weather and lack of capital also discouraged mango growers.
Due to low production, the price of mangoes per kilo now hovers between P180 and P200, higher than the pre-pandemic price of between P70 and P80 per kilo.
Delgado, however, said they were thankful for the assistance extended by the government through the Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Rural Development Project./PN
