The dream of various stakeholders including Magsasaka Siyentista Edita A. Dacuycuy to make Ilocos Norte the dragon fruit capital of the country is close to reality.  

And why not? Dragon (or “Saniata”) fruit production in the province is becoming a flourishing industry which provides source of livelihood or additional income to many residents here.

This can be attested during the field day-cum-cross visit, Julyy 19, to the Science and Technology Based Farm (STBF) of MS Dacuycuy and to some of the dragon fruit areas in San Nicolas, Sarrat, and Bacarra. This was attended by agricultural technicians from various municipalities, Technology and Livelihood (TLE) coordinators from elementary and secondary schools, rural women, out-of-school youths, staff from various FITS centers, other designated MS by ILARRDEC-PCAARRD, members of the Kailokuan Saniata Dragon Fruit Growers Association, and entrepreneurs.  The number of participants doubled against the expected attendees – a manifestation of the support and interest of various groups in dragon fruit production in the province.  

Conduct of field day

Part of STBF Project, the field day aims to showcase organic-based farming technologies followed in the MS farm.  In her lecture, Mrs. Dacuycuy highlighted the different technology interventions in her farm.  She told that it was never her plan to grow dragon fruit until she discovered its alternative curing effect on her child with cerebral palsy. Gradually, she found out the many other health uses of the plant as well as its potential to provide additional income.

She found beneficial all the technology interventions introduced in her STBF.  She said that using stem cuttings lessens the waiting time of growing the fruit because these can be directly planted as compared to growing cuttings for three months in the nursery. This also lessens labor and production costs as stem cuttings are cheaper than the rooted ones.

She also stressed the use of plastic mulch which can preserve soil moisture and reduce weed growth which, in turn, would decrease irrigation and lessen labor cost for weeding.  She said ordinary plastic may be used for mulching.

Meanwhile, she mentioned the big role of the Saniata Dragon Fruit Cooperative on the success of the dragon fruit industry in the province.  She also emphasized the importance of information campaign activities as well as field days and cross-visits to enhance promotion of the industry.

She expressed her gratitude to various agencies (i.e., ILARRDEC-PCAARRD, OPAG-PGIN, DA, MMSU) and other stakeholders who have been very supportive in the promotion of dragon fruit production.  While there is present problem on marketing, penetrating the international market is not far from Dacuycuy’s target. “I am very happy with your number today because I can see where the dragon fruit industry is leading. I assure you that while I can still serve, I will provide whatever I can,” she said.

Meanwhile, Prof. Maura Luisa Gabriel, designated technology expert for the STBF Project of Dacuycuy, supported her (Dacuycuy’s ) claims as to the therapeutic effects of the fruit and spoke on the benefits of using organic fertilizer and of wooden and concrete posts.  She said that while wooden posts are good, concrete posts are recommended as these are sturdier.

Sharing of experiences

The cross-visit provided the participants an actual glimpse of various dragon fruit areas owned by individuals, groups, and institutions who have first ventured in production and processing.  

The participants’ first stop was Catuguing Elementary School in San Nicolas town.  Principal Crispina Santos said they started planting in August 2009 and the initial 100 posts have grown to 500. Sales from the project – which have reached P80,000  from the first harvest alone – have been used to purchase school equipment and for painting of their classrooms. She added that they also provided all the schools in San Nicolas materials for planting.  

Next stop was the area by the Palayamanan 4-H Club of Catuguing, also in San Nicolas town. The club president thanked ILARRDEC for the materials it provided which were made as start-up for planting. The initial 100 posts have also grown to 500.  Municipal Agriculture Officer Norma Calamayan said that the vision of the club is to plant with dragon fruit all the available areas along Catuguing entrance. Club members working for the project get 40 percent of the sales; the rest goes to the organization. This does not only benefit the organization but also provide source of income for the members.  

Another stop was made on engineer Rogelio Castillo’s farm in Sarrat town. According to him, venturing into dragon fruit production does not only provide good income but also relaxation.  “Uray kasano iti banbannogmo no umaymo sarungkaran dagiti mulam, maawanen,” he said in the vernacular.  His farm at present has 3,200 posts and serves as tourist attraction.  He shared that growing the cactus is not laborious also, the crop is not sensitive to changing environment conditions and is very resistant to drought.  When asked about his investment and income, he just smiled and said, “Naperdi tay calculatorko.” But looking at how his farm has grown and expanded, one can say that he has been earning some modest amount.

The group also visited the farm of engineer Albert Calsada in Bacarra town.  He recently opened a dragon fruit garden where one can have breakfast, lunch, and snack amidst the  dragon plants. Included in the menu are  dragon ice cream and shake.  

Support provided

Mr. Garo of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) in his message challenged the participants, particularly the project implementers, to develop proposals that would enhance the production of organic dragon fruit and assured them of support from ATI which implements and sustains the Techno Gabay Program responsible in establishing  STBF Projects by farmer-scientists.  The TGP aims to bring and promote science-based technologies and information services to end-users in agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources through the regional consortia.