ORMOC CITY – Jackfruit stakeholders in Eastern Visayas convened at the first-ever Regional Jackfruit Summit initiated by the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 8 (DA RFO 8) held at the Leyte Convention Center, Palo, Leyte late last week.
The purpose of the three-day event is to provide a forum for the discussion of important topics affecting the sector in order to promote innovation, policy support, and business expansion.
Director Joseph Manicad, Program Director for High Value Crops Development (HVCD), who served as guest speaker in representation of HVCD Undersecretary Cheryl Marie Caballero, highlighted that jackfruit is more than just a crop, saying that “it is food, it is livelihood, and it is an opportunity.”
“This is a signal that jackfruit, especially in this region, is ready to step out of the backyard and input a high demand in agribusiness. And that’s why we are here,” said Manicad.
The director also stated that the said activity is an opportunity in boosting the jackfruit industry. “This summit is not just a gathering. It’s a turning point. It is the first formal step in organizing, professionalizing, and setting up the jackfruit industry. As a high-value crop and valuable rural enterprise,” he aforementioned.
“The demand is in, and the jackfruit in our region has a comparative advantage, being the sweetest variety. Hence, we must take this both as a challenge and an opportunity,” said Dir. Manicad.
Meanwhile, DA RFO 8 Executive Director Dir. Andrew Rodolfo T. Orais said that more than the title as Jackfruit Capital of the Philippines, DA is more focused on improving the lives of local jackfruit farmers, advancing the sector, fostering a strong agribusiness, and even tackling environmental issues.
During the summit, other government agencies that included the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Visayas State University (VSU), and Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) pledged their assistance in order to help the industry reach its maximum potential. (By Gwen Maurillo / EV Mail JULY 28-AUGUST 3, 2025 issue)
