Preserving indigenous fruits

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Agriculture is implementing a project aimed at sustainably conserving the diversity of indigenous and underutilized tropical fruit species.

The project, “Identification and Collection of Indigenous Fruits in Palawan,” is being undertaken by the Department of Agriculture-regional field unit 4B in coordination with the Western Philippines University.

Dugyan is one of the 14 indigenous tropical fruit species that was initially collected for the study.

The other species include bunog, dugyan, badak, tabo, paratungon, palau saguit-saguit, tambis, maraitum, marang, langka, rambutan, lanzones, kandis and bignay.

Out of these, seven have already been characterized and are being looked into for their economic potentials as food sources including dugyan.

The fruits are being studied for their commercial production and processing properties. 

With its distinct lipstick red flesh, the dugyan, an endemic fruit in Palawan, is said to be an entirely different species from the typically-cultivated durian that we see in the market. 

Dugyan is not as repulsive and nauseating as the typical durian. It has a faint scent which is almost odorless. In terms of taste, it’s creamy but less sweet.  

In terms of fruit size, dug-yan is much smaller compared to the common durian, weighing less than a kilo. It has sharper and longer thorns and yellow thick coat.

Just like the common durian, the red durian, when fully ripe, opens while on the tree showing off its bright flesh. 

To help promote the fruit and products developed through this project, DA-MIMAROPA has been exhibiting them.