To Resolve PH Mango “Kurikong” Menace, First Resolve Chemical Pesticide Problem!

Sometimes, we do notknow how to take good care of the one we love, whether family, or friend – or fruit! One reported problematic fruit is mango, Mangifera indica; one reported problematic province is Pangasinan, where I was born, and whose mango I believe is the sweetest in the Philippines. The unripe fruits are being infested on the trees by the cecid fly, which looks like a mosquito, and which causes those galls or swelling tissues on the skin, those black splotches on the green. (Main image from ABS-CBN News[1])

In Quezon City, concerned with the gall problem, locally called kurikong, during the First Luzon Mango Congress held 20 February 2020 at the Bureau of Soils and Water Management, according to the press release “DA To Help Mango Farmers Solve ‘Kurikong,’ Increase Production And Exports” from the Department of Agriculture, DA, Secretary of Agriculture William Dar/Manong Willie said:

Together, let us harness the power of science and technology to pro-actively get rid of “kurikong” and other major concerns confronting our mango industry,

“Kurikong” refers to those black sores from skin down to flesh: ugly sound, ugly sight, ugly taste.

The press release also said:

He urged the mango industry stakeholders and concerned DA agencies to enhance the protocol on the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) on mango production, making use of the latest agronomy and integrated pest management practices.

Yes Sir, the GAP protocols need to be revised. For instance, the Mango GAP prescribes integrated pest management but not intercropping to balance the populations of predators and preys. I saw in several manuals the same prescribed protocol: spraying pesticide. Still, the “kurikong” problem persists!

How old is this problem? Leonardo Micua says, “No Antidote (sic) For Cecid Flies” (04 March 2018, Sunday Punch), that Pangasinan Provincial Agriculture Officer Dalisay Moya said “kurikong” had “rampaged through mango plantations in the province for the past five years and nothing could stop it.” In fact, it has been nationwide since 2010[2]; chemical control has failed, but the protocol still calls for chemical control!

Julius Caesar: I came, I saw, I conquered.
Frank Hilario: I came, I saw, I did not concur.

As the “kurikong” problem has lingered for 20 years, United Luzon Mango Stakeholders Association President Ricardo Tolentino says many mango growers have shifted to other crops. To revive the dying industry, Mr Tolentino challenged the Mango Congress “to unite with concerned DA agencies in the fight against 'kurikong' and save the country’s mango industry.”

On his part, Manong Willie directed DA Undersecretary for High-Value Crops and Rural Credit Evelyn Laviña “to work with the Bureau of Agricultural Research… in applying the results of research and development initiatives to immediately address the 'kurikong' (menace).” He emphasized the urgency of the situation, instructing Ms Evelyn:

Finalize the ideas immediately and start the projects in two weeks.

"Together,” Manong Willie said, “Let us save the Philippine mango industry, and maintain our distinction of producing the 'sweetest mango' in the world."

That is all sweet music to my ears!@517

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[1] https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/03/23/19/mga-manggahan-sa-pangasinan-napeste-ng-kurikong

[2] http://www.pcaarrd.dost.gov.ph/home/portal/index.php/quick-information-dispatch/2232-pcaarrd-leads-fight-against-kurikong-infestation