BAYBAY, Leyte ─ Stakeholders of the jackfruit industry in Region 8 recently convened at the Visayas State University (VSU) Convention Center for the first-ever Jackfuit FIESTA.
FIESTA stands for Farmer-Industry Encounters through the Science and Technology Agenda, a technology promotion modality of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD).
The Visayas Consortium for Agriculture and Resources Program (ViCARP) spearheaded the celebration with the theme “Changing lives through jackfruit science and technology”.
“Way back in 1995, jackfruit was identified as the banner crop of the Eastern Visayas”, said VSU President Jose L. Bacusmo during the opening ceremonies.
Bacusmo explained that over time, the area planted to jackfruit increased in the region. As of 2010, a total 51, 865 trees were reportedly planted covering 332 hectares.
“With the introduction of the EVIARC (Eastern Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center) Sweet variety, Region 8 has been recognized as the jackfruit capital of the country”, Bacusmo underscored.
He also mentioned that ViCARP and the Regional Research and Development Extension revived the development of jackfruit food products. From there, several food products were eventually developed like puree, juice, tart, vacuum-fried jackfruit, and dehydrated jackfruit.
“Vacuum-fried and dehydrated jackfruit are now sold under the brand ‘Baybay Delights’, now the official delicacy of the new city of Baybay”.
At the forum that followed the ceremony, Department of Agriculture-Regional Integrated Agricultural Research Center Station Superintendent Carlos S. De la Cruz reported that Eastern Visayas is among the top 20 regional producers of jackfruit in the country, particularly in terms annual volume of production and area planted/harvested.
On the other hand, Dr. Roberta D. Luazon of VSU’s Department of Food Science and Technology said that the market potential for jackfruit is being developed to address its “possible flooding”. This is being done by developing high quality novel and high value products from its pulp and co-products.
Magsasaka Siyentista Job Abuyabor was also among the speakers in the forum. Both an advocate and practitioner of science and technology, he revealed that last year he was able to harvest 40 tons of jackfruit in his farm in Mahaplag, Leyte. This year, he intends to hit his goal of 50 tons.
Abuyabor shared that in order to produce good jackfruit, proper fertilization and irrigation should be practiced.
“Growing seedlings needs nitrogen, while bearing trees require phosphorus and potash”, Abuyabor said.
He also practices periodic ring weeding and underbrushing every three months, as well as pruning.
Aside from the forum, the other ancillary activities that comprised the festival included an exhibit, agribusiness roadmap development workshop, media conference, and competitions in essay writing, poster making, cooking, bartending, and composing jingles.
A search for the heaviest and sweetest jackfruit was also conducted.