DA Region 2 extends aid to farmer forced to dispose of 3,000 kilos of mangoes

San Mateo, Isabela – A farmer who made headlines on social media after dumping 3,000 kilograms of mangoes due to an oversupply received aid from the Department of Agriculture Region 2.

In a press release Thursday, May 16, by the agricultural department of Cagayan Valley, they said they immediately contacted the farmer and offered help in selling his remaining produce.

The agency sought a buyer and even offered Frederick Cayaban the utilization of the agency’s KADIWA truck, which resulted in the purchase of 726 kilograms of mangoes owned by the farmer.

Cayaban, in a statement, conveyed his gratitude to the agency for coming to their aid.

It was known by the agency that aside from being a mango grower, Cayaban is also a trader as he purchases mangoes from other regions to sell in Metro Manila.

Discarded mangoes, meantime, were rejected by the private processing company that serves as their buyer in the country’s capital.

Earlier, it was mentioned by Cayaban in a media interview that the mangoes ripened while they were waiting in line for their purchase. These were also put in a closed van, which might also cause them to ripen quickly.

The mangoes were part of 15,000 kilos ferried to Metro Manila to sell.  If sold, the mangoes could have cost around P84,000.

Meanwhile, Cayaban likewise told the agency that he opted not to give the discarded mangoes to his neighborhood as it might be harmful to their health.