National council for dragon fruit organized

Editha Dacuycuy (center) file photo

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff Reporter

IN A BID to further boost the dragon plant industry in the country, the Philippine Dragon Fruit Growers and Processors National Council was organized recently to make its presence felt in the export market.

Led by its president, multi-awarded farmer scientist and entrepreneur Edita Aguinaldo-Dacuycuy of REFMAD Farms, the pioneering dragon fruit plantation in Ilocos region, the newly-organized council backed by various government agencies including the Department of Agriculture, Department of Agrarian Reform and the Ilocos Region Agriculture Resources Research and Development Council (ILARRDEC) aims to promote dragon fruit as a promising high value crop with a great demand in the export market.

At present, there are at least 40 active members in the council composed of big time players in the agriculture industry.

“By coming as one, we envision to make the Philippines known for its quality fruit products such as dragon fruit,” Ms. Dacuycuy said after her meeting with Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala in Manila.

The 69-year old Dacuycuy, popularly known as the “Dragon Lady” of Ilocos Norte said they are now on the process of registering the council to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The oath-taking ceremony of the new officers and members is expected this June.

In the last four years, dragon fruit growing in the Philippines has been attracting farm enthusiasts and investors from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

With a high demand for this exotic fruit known for its therapeutic properties, dragon fruit growers and investors can earn if they penetrate the international market.

In Ilocos Norte, local growers have developed at least six varieties of dragon fruit.

Leonardo Pascua, project leader of the dragon fruit research and development extension of MMSU, who is also one of the consultants of the national council, said dragon fruit growers need to have at least 1,000 ha of dragon fruit plantations to supply the global market.

While Ilocos Norte’s production is still below the export target now with around 100 hectares, growers here continue to produce other dragon fruit-based products that have found a steady market. Among these products are ice cream, jam, wine, vinegar, tea, cookies, pastries and even soap bars.

Comments

Free dormitories eyed for Nueva Era students in LC, Batac

Nueva Era mayor Aldrin Garvida By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Nueva Era , Ilocos Norte—The municipal government here, headed by Nueva Era mayor Aldrin Garvida is planning to establish dormitories in the cities of Laoag and Batac that will exclusively cater to college students from the said cities. “Sapay la kuma ta maituloyen iti mabiit tay ar-arapaapen tayo ken iti munisipyo a maipatakderan kuma dagiti annak tayo a college students nga agbasbasa idiay siyudad iti Batac ken Laoag iti libre a dormitoryo a bukod da ngem inggana nga awan pay ket an-anusan mi paylaeng nga ibaklay kenni apo bise mayor iti pagbayad da iti kasera aggapu iti bukod mi a suweldo malaksid dagitay it-ited iti munisipyo ken iti barangay nga stipend da kada semester, ” Garvida said. Garvida added that the proposed establishment of dormitories would be a big help to the students’ parents as this would shoulder the expenses of their children for rent and likewise they would feel more secured

Empanada festival: A celebration of good taste and good life

By Dominic B. dela Cruz & Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporters BATAC CITY—If there is one thing Batac is truly proud of, it would be its famous empanada-making business that has nurtured its people over the years. Embracing a century-old culture and culinary tradition, Batac’s empanada claims to be the best and tastiest in the country with its distinctive Ilokano taste courtesy of its local ingredients: fresh grated papaya, mongo, chopped longganisa, and egg. The crispy orange wrapper and is made of rice flour that is deep-fried. The celebration of this city’s famous traditional fast food attracting locals and tourists elsewhere comes with the City Charter Day of Batac every 23 rd of June. Every year, the City Government of Batac led by Mayor Jeffrey Jubal Nalupta commemorate the city’s charter day celebration to further promote its famous One-Town, One Product, the Batac empanada. Empanada City The Batac empanada festival has already become an annua

P29 per kilo rice sold to vulnerable groups in Ilocos region

BBM RICE. Residents buy rice for only PHP29 per kilo at the NIA compound in San Nicolas town, Ilocos Norte province on Sept. 13, 2024. The activity was under a nationwide pilot program of the government to sell quality and affordable rice initially to the vulnerable sectors. (Lei Adriano) San Nicolas , Ilocos Norte —Senior citizens, persons with disability, and solo parents availed of cheap rice sold at PHP29 per kilogram during the grand launching of the Bagong Bayaning Magsasaka (BBM) Rice held at the National Irrigation Administration compound in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte province on Sept. 13, 2024. “ Maraming salamat Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sa inyong pagmamahal sa Region 1 lalong-lalo na sa bayan namin sa San Nicolas,” said Violeta Pasion, a resident Brgy. 18 Bingao in this town. The low-priced grains were sourced from the National Irrigation Administration’s (NIA) contract farming with irrigators' association members in the province. Along with Pasion, Epi

The Ilocos Times

Search This Blog