Picture of Joeven C. Calasagsag
Innovations boost mango farm’s profits
by Joeven C. Calasagsag - Thursday, 24 June 2010, 09:11 AM
 
mb.com.ph, June 23, 2010, 3:52pm

Wondering why Davao del Sur produces one of the sweetest mangoes in the country?

It is because of the province’s distinct dry season that is favorable to mango production.

Like other plantations in the province, the Belcris Farm in Matti, Digos City takes advantage of the favorable weather. But this is not all there is to mango production, says its plantation manager Alexander Navales. Production also means effective cultural management, attention and huge capital, of course.

So Navales, who is also a farmer-scientist of the Southern Mindanao Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (SMARRDEC), is challenged to find ways that will make mango production viable and profitable. “We cannot just rely on application of chemicals as their prices continuously increase. We need to improve our farm practices to have a better and higher harvest at a lower production cost,” he says.

This was realized when the farm was tapped as a site of the Science and Technology-Based Farming (STBF). It is a project of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) and SMARRDEC, and it aims to showcase the benefits of technology application in agricultural production.

Improved crop management

One of the improved practices in the farm is the judicious use of chemicals and pesticides, which restores ecological balance. “We refrained from using broad spectrum chemicals in our farm so as not to destroy the beneficial insects as well as the natural pollinators,” he said.

For flower induction, Navales says that it is better to use calcium nitrate instead of the more popularly-used potassium nitrate. Calcium nitrate is cheaper, yet it has the same effect.

He has also observed that though others find Paclobutrazol cheaper, it accelerates the maturity of the leaves, which is stressful for the plants and makes rejuvenation difficult. He also strongly discourages mango farmers to do “cocktailing,” or mixing two or more pesticides to control pest infestations.

“Farmers should strictly follow directions on agrochemical use and handling,” he says. “Excessive use of pesticides is destructive both for people and the environment.”

Another factor that affects the quality of mango, he says, is maturity, which usually starts at 105 days after flower induction (DAFI). This is because harvesting immature fruits results in poor quality.

Moreover, he advises farmers in Mindanao to take advantage of the second season or the off-season production if they want to increase their profit. “Normally, mango harvest in Luzon and Visayas peaks during summer and weakens from July to December due to unfavorable weather. If you produce mangoes during the lean months then you can sell these at a much higher price,” he says.

Short-term hot water treatment

Before, Belcris Farm practiced the Hot Water Treatment (HWT) to control anthracnose and stem end rot, the two major postharvest diseases of mango. This is done by dipping the fruits for 10 minutes in water heated at 520C to 550C, then in tap water for another 10 minutes to cool the fruits before these are dried and packed.

However, “although HWT ensures quality and prolongs the shelf-life of mango fruits, it is time consuming,” says Navales. “We are glad that we have modified this method through a research conducted right here in our farm.”

He is referring to the High Temperature Short-Term Dip (HTSTD) technology, which shortens the time of dipping the fruits from 10 minutes to only 30 seconds to 1 minute in water heated from 590C to 600C. “This method is very effective and shortens the process, allowing us to treat and deliver more fruits in one day,” he says.

HTSTD should be done within 36 hours after harvest when mangoes are still green to achieve the desired degree of disease control. Moreover, Navales has observed that mangoes subjected to this treatment ripen uniformly, with bright yellow peel and satisfactory flavor and aroma.

So it is not anymore a surprise that this technology plus the improved crop management have resulted in much higher return on investment. The farm’s average yield per tree has increased from 153.84 to 266.66 kilos, or a 58 percent increase. Net income has increased from P1,995 to P3,783.89, and that’s a 53 percent increase.-
By NOEL PROVIDO

Source: Innovations boost mango farm’s profits
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