DAF-ARMM distributes mango chips dryer to farmers' coop

COTABATO CITY –- Mango chips producers in the autonomous region are expected to produce more and earn more profits after the government awarded them with PHP2 million worth of mango chips dryers Wednesday, officials said today.Alexander Alonto, regional secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), personally handed over the mango chips dryer during simple ceremonies here to four identified farmers’ cooperatives in Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. This is your government working for you,” Alonto told the farmers’ cooperative representatives present during the activity held at ARMM grounds.Hadja Jalika Mangacop, DAF-ARMM High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) regional program coordinator, said each unit costing PHP500 was funded under the DA-HVCDP.One unit was awarded each to the following cooperatives, namely Golden Valley Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Parang, Maguindanao Masaganang Kabuhayan Producer Cooperative of Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao Rural Improvement Club of Jolo, Sulu and Lupah Pula Farmers and Fisherfolks Marketing Cooperative of Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.Mangacop said the Mango Chips Dryer has food grade stainless steel double. It is capable to dry 75 kilograms of wet mango pulp efficiently from 45-60 minutes due to a force draft fan rotating the temperature evenly.Alonto said the post-harvest equipment is expected to make mango growers/producers hasten the drying capacity of mango chips and improve its quality.Mango is among the major products of high value in ARMM.Alonto said other cooperatives in the region will also receive their own post-harvest equipment depending on the agricultural products they produce.Mango from the region, fresh and processed, are exported to major urban centers in the country along with other major products of the region composed of the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.