Manila: The southern Philippine island of Mindanao needs better roads and ports if its fruit and vegetable sector is going to grow, according to a study funded by the Australian Research Centre for International Agricultural Research.
About 70% of the total volume of the country’s major fruits and vegetables are produced in Mindanao, of which more than 90% is transported to major urban centers in Luzon and the Visayas.
“However, in an island archipelago like the Philippines, the movement of highly perishable crops such as fruits and vegetables from key production areas in Mindanao to intermediate and terminal markets within and outside the island-region is hampered by the inadequacy of efficient and effective transport systems and port and shipping services,” the study pointed out.
“This limits the potential gains that supply chain participants may realize from their produce, given the increasing demand for high quality and safe fruits and vegetables in the Philippines and abroad,” it added. [14/02/13]
