Honey production is an existing livelihood activity in the rural areas of Davao City and Davao del Norte but a government study showed that this remains a backyard activity. This, despite the high market price which should have been an incentive for more commercialised production.
Production of tilapia, on the other hand, has been unable to satisfy the domestic demand despite the proliferation of several aquatic farms in the southern areas of Mindanao.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said the production in commercial quantity of the two products would be given priority by the government and the private sector to develop the emerging products in Davao region.
The other products chosen to provide additional options for households to embark on productive economic activities are processed vegetables, or so-called veggie noodles, bamboo, malunggay and seaweed.
In the case of honey, the DTI said the Mindanao campus of the University of the Philippines has already indicated its willingness to assist in the research and testing of a demonstration farm within their campus in Davao City. The demo farm will be used to “come up with the appropriate module to be promoted.”
Tilapia, Honey Emerging Products
PHILIPPINES - The government and entrepreneurs here have set their eyes on the production of honey and tilapia, two of the six emerging products of choice in Southern Mindanao.
