The Cabugao Mango Farmers Multi-Purpose Association of Cabugao, Ilocos Sur received the first batch of production and marketing support from the Investments on Rural Enterprises for Agri-fishery Productivity (I-REAP) under the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP).

Among the inputs/equipment delivered are: 305 bags of Vermicast, 4 units of power sprayers, 10 pieces of water tanks, 20 picking tools, 10 ladders, and 1,970 pieces of plastic crates.

The rest of the inputs/equipment, which include 693 liters of Foliar Fertilizer, 840 liters fungicide, 3,978,996 bagging materials, 10 units of weighing scales, 2 units strapping machine, 10 pieces plastic straps, 2 hauling vehicles (tri-cabs), and one delivery truck, are yet to be procured or delivered.

With the proposed enterprise under PRDP, contract-growing members and non-members will have 73 kilograms more yield per tree. This is equivalent to P734 additional income per tree for contract-growing members and P437 increase in income for contract-growing non-members.

The Mango Association proposed a P13.1 million Production and Marketing of Fresh Carabao Mangoes Enterprise. The venture, which will also operate a mango packaging center located in Brgy. Baclig, Cabugao, Ilocos Sur, will directly sell mangoes to exporters, processors, and end-users.  The proposal was approved by the Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB) on November 17, 2016.

The procurement and delivery of the rest of the inputs/equipment for the mango enterprise is expected to be completed within the year. (Ilocos InfoACE)