New packaging for Guimaras fresh mangoes developed
Guimaras fresh mangoes are known worldwide as the sweetest mangoes. Tourists and visitors of the island usually crave for the world’s famous mango and more often they bring along with them fresh mangoes from Guimaras as presents and “pasalubong” to their family and friends.
Fresh mangoes sold within Guimaras are usually packed in plastic bags or in reused boxes of other goods. The current practice of packaging Guimaras fresh mangoes were improved by the Department of Science and Technology Region VI (DOST VI) by providing a proper packaging that will enhance product presentation and protect the mangoes from stress that might affect its taste. With DOST’s packaging design and development, fresh mangoes will be more appealing to the market and also protecting its premium quality.
DOST VI provided technical assistance in the packaging design and development through the collaborative efforts of Taytay sg Kauswagan Inc. (TSKI), taking into consideration various parameters among which would be product-package compatibility. Likewise, its label design has taken into account the Philippine labeling laws as well as visual presentation and impact. The packaging material for Guimaras Fresh mangoes is made of high quality corrugated box designed for 12 pieces capacity with perforated internal support to hold the fruit in place. The hand-carried design will give the buyer ease during travel and will maintain the premium quality of the product. The turn-over of Guimaras Fresh Mango Box to Guimaras Mango Growers and Producers Development Cooperative, as project beneficiaries, was held last May 22, 2009 at the Guimaras Provincial Capitol Ground, during the 17th Anniversary Celebration of Guimaras Province.
This project is a joint collaboration of DOST VI, Guimaras Provincial Government, and the Congressional Spouses Foundation, Inc. (CSFI) of Guimaras and also through the efforts of the Provincial Office for Agricultural Services (POAS), Provincial Economic Development Office (PEDO), Guimaras Mango Growers & Producers Development Cooperative.
The project will be implemented by the cooperative under the direct supervision of POAS. Initial printing was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the partner agencies. The cooperative will sustain the proceeding print outs that will be closely monitored by PEDO & POAS. (DOSTVI/masas)