The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD), through its Crops Research Division (CRD), co-organized the 1st International Forum on Mango Genetic Improvement. This three-day international gathering brought together scientists, researchers, breeders, policymakers, industry stakeholders, and development partners to strengthen regional collaboration on mango breeding, biotechnology, and varietal improvement.
Jointly organized by the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), DOST-PCAARRD, and the Queensland Department of Primary Industries (QDPI), with support from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), the forum served as a platform for sharing experiences, comparing country situations, identifying common priorities, and advancing regional discussions on the future of mango genetic improvement.
The event welcomed delegates from the Philippines, Australia, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, France, and Taiwan, along with participants from academic and research institutions, national government agencies, local government units, non-government organizations and development agencies, the private sector, industry partners, and farmers' associations.
Keynote presentations were delivered by Dr. Asjad Ali and Dr. Natalie Dillon of QDPI. Dr. Ali discussed Mango Breeding: Progress, Challenges, and Future Innovations, while Dr. Dillon presented Beyond the Genome: Integrating Genetics into Modern Mango Breeding. They underscored that mango breeding is a long-term, complex endeavor that requires sustained investment, strategic decision-making, and collaboration, and emphasized that successful variety development must be guided by market needs, consumer preferences, and country-specific priorities while addressing challenges posed by climate change, pests, and diseases.
Moreover, DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director Reynaldo V. Ebora emphasized the forum's significance in fostering regional collaboration for mango genetic improvement.
“The diversity represented in this forum is no coincidence. Every participant was invited with the purpose—to contribute expertise, experience, and fresh perspectives that will enrich the scientific discussions around common challenges and shape the future direction of mango genetic improvement and the mango industry, in general,” Dr. Ebora said.
He also expressed hope that the forum would generate lasting collaborations beyond the formal sessions.
“As this forum unfolds, my hope is that the most valuable outcomes will not only be found in the presentations, but in the conversations that will continue long after the sessions have ended, in the relationships that can endure beyond it, in the collaborative initiatives that will take shape in the months and years ahead, and in every innovation and output that will ultimately advance the mango industry,” he added.
Dr. Ebora further highlighted DOST-PCAARRD's vision of building a regional scientific community founded on mutual respect, shared learning, and collective progress, where every participating country contributes to and benefits from collaborative research and innovation.
On the third and final day, participants developed a roadmap and synthesis paper to guide future collaborative initiatives on mango genetic improvement. CRD Director Leilani D. Pelegrina facilitated the workshop, wherein local stakeholders were asked key questions including the current state of the mango industry, its desired future, breeding and research priorities, and opportunities for regional collaboration. Discussions identified shared industry challenges, including climate variability, pests and diseases, productivity, fruit quality, and research limitations, while highlighting common priorities such as climate-resilient cultivars, improved fruit quality, greater breeding efficiency, and strengthened regional collaboration through opportunities like germplasm exchange, collaborative breeding, genomics, shared research infrastructure, data sharing, and capacity building. The forum concluded with a site visit to the UPLB Institute of Plant Breeding and the Institute of Crop Science.
Representing DOST-PCAARRD at the forum were Dr. Ebora, Deputy Executive Director for Administration, Resource Management and Support Services Melvin B. Carlos, Dr. Pelegrina, Supervising Science Research Specialist Sharie Al-Faiha A. Lubang, Senior Science Research Specialist Kristine Joy Panaligan-De Guzman, CRD staff, and representatives from the Applied Communications Division, Socio-Economics Research Division, Agricultural Resources Management Research Division, and Technology Transfer and Promotion Division.
Through the forum, DOST-PCAARRD reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regional scientific partnerships and advancing science, technology, and innovation to support the development of improved mango varieties for the benefit of growers, consumers, and future generations.