Guimaras guv upbeat on cashew market prospects
The provincial government of Guimaras is optimistic that its cashew industry will lift the province’s agriculture sector.
Gov. Felipe Hilan Nava revealed this to agroup of more than 40 information officers from the Department of Agriculture and various regions of the country during a courtesy call to his office.
He said the cashew tree and nuts have been very saleable and will soon become the top product of the province if it keeps its momentum.
Nava said the small and medium enterprises are also marketing the cashew in the national and international markets.
“We hope to make Guimaras a cashew center in the region, not just for mangoes,” Nava said.
Moreover, the governor said the agriculture sector of the province is thriving with its produce from the root crops, high-value commercial crops, and rice sectors.
The mango industry has suffered a lot due to prolonged dry season and pest attacks that have temporarily stopped Guimaras from exporting mango products, he said.
Our agriculture sector is slowly gaining popularity after the oil spill tragedy since 2006 and the people work on crops while waiting for the sea to recover, Nava said.
He said he hopes the cashew industry will momentarily take over the vacuum left by the reeling mango industry in the national and international markets.
The cashew industry will keep Guimaras visible in the market while the mango industry is recovering, he added.*
