Successful Farmer Shares His Off-Season Mango Cultural Methods
There’s more to sharing than success, for triumph wouldn’t be fully realized if it’s not shared.
One of those who believe in this is Francisco “Frank” Sacdalan of Midsayap, North Cotabato. He has been very successful in off-season mango production. And now he wants to help his fellow mango farmers increase yield by sharing to them his farming methods.
This 74-year-old retired CPA from Midsayap, North Cotabato who was first featured in this magazine last July agreed with the Department of Agriculture 12Central Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center (DA-CEMIARC) to document his off season mango production. And for almost five months, from flower induction to harvest, the CEMIARC team documented his cultural methods and management practices.
Frank started judicious pruning and fertilization of his 470 mango trees in May. Then in June, the trees were applied with paclobutrazol as soil drench at recommended rate. Aerial spraying of a high dose of potassium nitrate (5kg/drum) was also done when the leaves were already brittle for this means that the trees are physiologically ready.
He harvested 127 tons last September 21-26. Asked what practice was the most crucial, Frank said that the application of urea and complete fertilizer at 45 days after flower induction was the most important in producing big, heavy mangoes. But of course, production was not that simple. There were deterring factors such as erratic climate changes in the area, volatile peace and order condition, and the worldwide financial crisis to top these all.
So Frank had to strengthen his marketing by contacting would-be buyers, but prices were far too low then and he had to make compromises with the buyers. And considering that mango is a highly perishable commodity, he was also extra careful in transporting his produce from his farm to his buyers to maintain its quality.
With what he has experienced, Frank has an advice for experienced, fellow mango farmers: learn marketing for it is as imperative as production itself.
As for him, he wants to know the strong and weak points of the industry, analyze how these affect the market, and educate farmers about these things. He believes that by doing so, farmers would be able to assure themselves a good market and fair value of their produce amidst the financial crisis.
Popularity: 17%
Popularity: 17%
June 1st, 2009 at 9:55 am
I would like to have the contact details of Mr. Frank.
Many thanks!
C.La Plana
Zamboanga Sibugay
June 23rd, 2009 at 7:17 am
Please do let me know where I can buy paclobutrazol.
June 24th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
June 27th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
from gen.santos city
June 28th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
Many thanks hope to hear from you soon please contact me at 09178839397 or 9113689 or 09151145933
August 3rd, 2009 at 2:02 pm
can we get more info on it ?
greatly appriciated
Vic,
cell or text 1-626-319-6629
August 7th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
New Technological Trend in Organic Farming
mentor: MR. GIL CARANDANG- scientist/ farmer
when: AUGUST 27 AND 28, 2009
where: Dept. of Agriculture Auditorium
M. Velez St. Cebu City
what time: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
for registration please email us at avietiful@yahoo.com
call/text 09239728228/ 0919-3992637
September 18th, 2009 at 7:49 am
November 23rd, 2009 at 2:16 am
I would like to know about the organic herbal flower inducer.
January 29th, 2010 at 2:38 am