By Leilanie G. Adriano
Staff reporter
BURGOS, Ilocos Norte—Over a
decade since a scaly bright pink fruit that reminded some of a dragon found its
way to the Philippines, tons of dragon fruits are now being produced in various
parts of the country, giving profitable income and livelihood mostly to
Ilocanos in this part of Luzon.
On August 26, 2016, the first
shipment of more than 600 kilos of Philippines premium dragon fruit landed in
Vancouver, Canada through a fruit and vegetable importer in the Philippines.
While packing the freshly
picked fruits in a box produced by the REFMAD Farms at Brgy. Paayas, this town,
Edita Aguinaldo-Dacuycuy popularly known as a multi-awarded “dragon fruit lady
of the Philippines” for leading the way in advancing dragon fruit
production in the country, beams with gladness that finally, one of her
greatest dreams, is now for real.
“Thank God, we are now in for
export. It’s a long journey which we have been waiting for. Now, what we’ve
been working hard is a success,” said Nana Edita’s daughter, Mildred, who is
acting as the farm’s operations manager.
Mildred said they hope this
is now the start of “something big” in the industry to benefit organized dragon
fruit growers in the country.
Since 2006, the mother and
daughter tandem worked their way to develop the pioneering dragon fruit
plantation and resort into what it is now.
Inspired by Nana Edita’s
special daughter Kaye with a cerebral palsy, the dragon fruit industry became
flourishing in Ilocos region because of a mother wanting only the best for her
children.
Dragon fruit is known for its
numerous health benefits—rich source of antioxidants, fiber, Omega 3s and
minerals. One of its famous selling brand is it eases constipation problem—like
that of Kaye who is often constipated, a common struggle among persons with
cerebral palsy.
With the all-out support of
inter-government agencies working for the advancement of agriculture in the
countryside, the Dacuycuy family found a strong support group of plant
hobbyists, farm enthusiasts, scientists, researchers, extension workers and
businessmen among others.
Starting as a pocket-size
garden planted with barely few cuttings of dragon fruit at the Dacuycuy’s
residence in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte, this has grown into over a 30-hectare
dragon fruit plantation in Burgos town owned by the Dacuycuy family. Other
farmer-cooperators and adopters followed suit and the dragon fruit industry
gained ground in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao over the past 10 years.
Aside from fresh fruits sold
to consumers, other value adding products now comes with dragon fruit ice
cream, energy tea, cookies, pandesal,
jam, lumpiang shanghai, wine and soap
bars. Most recently, REFMAD Farms has developed its all natural and organic
dragon fruit freeze dried extract powder which can be readily use for
smoothies, teas or foods.
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