Zambales works to revive ailing mango industry
ZAMBALES—Efforts are under way to restore the production of Zambales’ celebrated “Sweet Elena” mango, once recognized as the world’s sweetest but now facing a sharp decline, by engaging in promotion events and a province-backed P50 million, four-year rejuvenation project.
Roadside stalls in the province’s northern towns in the 1990s showcased the thriving mango industry, with the Sweet Elena variety of the carabao mango standing out. This prized strain earned global acclaim as the world’s sweetest from The Guinness Book of World Records in 1995 and further recognition from the Department of Agriculture in 2013.
Originating in Sta. Cruz town, the Sweet Elena mango became a source of pride for Zambales.
However, production dwindled in recent years due to the impact of climate change, outdated agricultural methods, and repeated typhoon damage that have ravaged plantations.
Recognizing its importance to the province’s economy and cultural heritage, local stakeholders are taking action to reverse the decline.
Plans include modernizing farming practices, introducing climate-adaptive techniques, and rehabilitation of mango farms to boost productivity.
These efforts aim to restore the Sweet Elena mango to its former prominence while ensuring its lasting legacy as a symbol of Zambales’ agricultural excellence and identity, according to local officials.
“The mango industry was vibrant back then, not like it is now,” shared 55-year-old farmer Hernan Malong of Barangay Malabago on Thursday.
Malong, who tends mango trees in Barangay Gama, noted that while he once relied on traditional methods like smoke treatments and ash rubbing to induce flowering, the process now requires extensive use of chemicals and pesticides, increasing costs and labor.
Climate change
He attributed the decline in production partly to erratic weather patterns.
“Due to changing seasons, even when it’s the right time for flowering, there are years when trees bear no fruit,” he told the Inquirer in an interview, adding that El Niño events boost harvests while La Niña significantly hampers them.
Malong also feared for his farmland, as saltwater intrusion has already claimed two hectares of his family’s rice fields.
This threat underscored the vulnerability of coastal communities like Zambales to rising sea levels and climate change, he said.
Zambales is home to one of the country’s oldest coal plants, located in the protected area of Masinloc.
The facility emits at least 385,000 tons of ash annually, contributing to carbon emissions that exacerbate climate change and its impacts on agriculture.
Despite the challenges, Zambales remains a leader in mango production, with 7,558 hectares of plantations cultivated by over 5,000 farmers.
The province accounts for 36 percent of Central Luzon’s mango output and celebrates its bounty with an annual Mango Festival every April.
However, production statistics reveal a troubling decline, with yields averaging just 2.378 tons per ha—far below the national average of 12 tons per ha.
4-year project
To address this, the provincial government has launched the “Mango Green Valley Project,” a four-year initiative with a P50 million budget aimed at rejuvenating the industry.
According to Arnel Abayan, supervising agriculturist at the Provincial Agriculture Office, the project will focus on cultivating the Sweet Elena variety, improving farm productivity and modernizing production practices.
In phase 1 of the project this year, a P6.46-million initial budget will fund land clearing, flower induction, chemical application, fruit bagging, irrigation, fertilization and harvesting.
Phase 2 involves a P40-million allocation that will support the rehabilitation and pruning of 20,800 mango trees, with the goal of increasing yields by 50–60 percent. Current average production, recorded at 42 kilos per tree, is expected to rise significantly.
For phase 3, mango nurseries will be established in Sta. Cruz, Botolan and San Marcelino to ensure a consistent supply of high-quality seedlings and facilitate farm expansion.
The program also aims to strengthen the province’s mango value chain by creating a stable supply of raw materials for processing industries, addressing increasing demand and supporting local growers.
