The Philippine Asia Durian Summit kicked off with great enthusiasm at the SMX Convention Center in SM Lanang, Davao City. This three-day summit, held from October 25th to 27th, is a collaborative effort between the Durian Industry Association of Davao City (DIADC), the Department of Agriculture, and the City Agriculturist Office, among other key stakeholders. With over 700 participants, including durian growers, processors, consolidators, and investors, this event is a significant gathering for the durian industry.
The summit’s grand opening on Wednesday saw the presence of notable figures, including DIADC President Emmanuel Belviz, Department of Agriculture XI Regional Director Abel James Monteagudo DA-HVCDP, and Bureau of Plant Industry Director Gerald Glenn Panganiban. Councilor Marisa Abella, Edgardo Haspe, the head of the City Agriculturist Office (CAgrO), and various public officials and local as well as international durian traders were also in attendance.
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The primary objective of the summit is to empower durian producers and stakeholders to enhance their global competitiveness, drive innovation, and unite towards the common goal of improving market conditions for local durian farmers and expanding the nation’s durian industry as a whole. Davao City[profile] Mayor Sebastian Duterte, represented by Councilor Marissa Abella, extended a warm welcome to both local and foreign participants and commended the DIADC and all those involved for pioneering this groundbreaking event, the first of its kind in the country.
Over the next three days, summit participants will engage in informative symposiums and discussions covering a wide array of topics. These include techniques for producing high-quality durian, identifying market opportunities for various durian products, implementing sustainable farming practices, efficient fertilization management, and the promotion of durian tourism, among others. Furthermore, experts from Thailand and Malaysia will share their invaluable insights into durian cultivation and market trends.
An exciting aspect of the summit is the durian exposition, featuring 80 exhibitors, six of whom have journeyed from Malaysia and China to showcase their products and expertise. During his address, Belviz shed light on the current state of the durian industry in the Philippines, underscoring the significance of the first shipment of Philippine durian to the Chinese market in April as a major milestone for the regional durian industry.
Edgardo Haspe emphasized that this summit would be a game-changer for durian farmers in the city. Through this platform, they will gain essential knowledge and skills to enhance both their yield and product quality. Haspe noted, “One of the clear impacts of this is to attract more investors to our durian industry. And, for our farmers, to expand their durian production and improve the quality of durian in our city.” This initiative holds the promise of a brighter future for the durian industry in the Philippines and beyond.