Events
12th National Mango Congress in Pangasinan kicks off
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Feb 24, 2010 - 3:17:52 PM

LINGAYEN, Feb. 24 (PNA) -- A three-day 12th National Mango Congress kicked off on Wednesday (February 24) at the Don Narciso Ramos Sports and Cultural Center here with over 500 participants from various regions of the country.

The Philippine Mango Industry Foundation, Inc. (PMIFI) and the Federation of Mango Growers and Handlers of Pangasinan, Inc. are co-sponsoring the Congress with the province of Pangasinan as host.

Virginia de la Fuente, PMIFI president, said Pangasinan is the biggest province in the production of mango, accounting for at least 38 percent of the nation’s total, with Isabela in far second at five percent; and Cebu, three percent.

Calling Pangasinan as run-away winner in mango production throughout the country, De la Fuente sought that the country need not export just green mangoes but also processed mangoes.

The keynote speaker was Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap who was represented by Dr. Rene Rafael Espino, national program coordinator of the GMA-High Value Commercial Crops Program of the Department of Agriculture.

Governor Amado Espino Jr., the guest of honor and speaker, said the Congress is necessary for the Philippine mango to establish a stronger foothold in the global export market.

The national mango congress is an annual event in order to gather mango stakeholders throughout the country to thresh-out issues and vital concerns besetting the industry and to come up with plans and action to address the problems.

This is the first time that the National Mango Congress is being held in Pangasinan.

This year’s theme is “Maximizing Mango Growers Income Thru Cheaper Farm Inputs and Thru Processing of Pre and Post Harvest Rejects.”

Different mango-related topics will be discussed during the three-day sessions which include presentation of new technologies and practices for enhancement of mango industry in the country.

Other activities include a welcome dinner fellowship for the participants hosted by the provincial officials headed by Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr., Sangguniang Panlalawigan members headed by Vice Gov. Marlyn Primicias-Agabas and the provincial department heads.

Likewise, the participants will be toured on February 26 to the Dasolan Mango Farm in Dasol town, Lucap Hundred Islands and Lucap Wharf in Alaminos City.

Other tour destinations are Pangasinan Tropical Fruits Processing Area, Manaoag Shrine and San Roque Dam in San Manual. (PNA)
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