Talaingod indigent communities on cardava production training from Hijo

Cardava supply and pricing has been a long-standing problem for the farmers over the decades, even though it is one of the most popular banana varieties in the country with a growing demand for its various by-products.

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Hijo Resources Corporation, through Rosanna Tuason Fores (CEO) and son Alfonso Tuason Fores (Business Development and Logistics Lead) in collaboration with Engr. Rayman Zamora (enabler of  EO 70: Whole of Nation Approach) and TESDA Region 11 team, paved the way in optimizing production capacity by highlighting “Transparency, Trust and Equity” to uplift lives and empower Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) in the Davao Region.

The Team initiated a COVID-Compliant capacity-building program on the month of April 2020, amidst the pandemic. The perseverance in making the supply chain uninterrupted during crisis time is manifested.

Last April 28, 2020, Hijo’s Agri Leads Don dela Cruz and Gil Importante conducted training on cardava fruit care and proper harvest handling to indigent communities in Sitio Igang, Talaingod, Davao del Norte, in preparation for Hijo’s first venture as cardava buyer.

TESDA Secretary Isidro Lapena visited Davao del Norte last June 11, 2020, with Regional Director Engr. Lorenzo Macapili and members of the Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) XI where Ms. Fores presented the Smart Agriculture module and commercialization model of bananas. Alfonso Fores also delivered his presentation on value creation and finding the right market.

Hijo believes that cardava banana is a high value crop in the Philippines. For many Filipinos, especially low-income families, cardava is seen as a supplement for other crops and provide sustenance to families and children who are vulnerable to hunger and chronic malnutrition.

With their vision and banana expertise, Hijo’s goal is to empower farmers and provide food security to Filipinos with the help of the cardava banana.

“Hijo’s platform in uplifting lives is not about Hijo; it is neither about the government,” Rosanna Tuason Fores said during her closing statement on June 11, “It is about you (people).”