DA to Revive Coffee, Cacao, Rubber, Banana Sectors

The Department of Agriculture (DA) Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban has expressed plans to revive projects that began in the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) such as the banana, coffee, cacao, and rubber industries.

During the BPI 93rd anniversary gathering, Panganiban noted in his keynote address that the Philippine durian sector had big potential with the importation to China arranged for this year worth over $469 million.

“I will go on to explore the possibility of increasing — if not developing — the durian industry which our President has discussed with people from the People’s Republic of China. And we have, for this year, an importation value of $469 million for the durian industry in Davao and in the Visayas,” mentioned Panganiban.

It was also earlier stated by the DA that China was set to import over $260 million worth of Philippine durian with the deal involving companies in China such as Dashang Group, Shanghai Goodfarmer Group, Prestige International Co. Ltd, Ltd/Dole China, and  Dole (Shanghai) Fruits and Vegetables Trading Co.

Panganiban adds that “I hope those involved whether in plant quarantine, nursery development, and production of seeds and planting materials will be involved religiously in this endeavor,”

Aside from the durian industry, Panganiban mentioned that the BPI will be led to grow the rubber, coffee, and cacao sectors.

“On that basis, I intend to at least preside over the operations of that organization for it is a project I started way back when I was the director of BPI,”

“Same is true with coffee, an industry that has been lost but has been found recently with the Philippine Coffee Association of the Philippines working closely with the BPI in developing the coffee industry,”

“The other component I think that will be worth looking at is the rubber industry. This is a program that I had started way back but has been lost in the crowds,”  said Panganiban.

Source: Philstar