Oriental Mindoro, once hailed as the “Calamansi King,” experienced a dramatic decline in its calamansi farming industry. The land area devoted to cultivation shrank from 3,000 hectares to only 884 hectares due to market challenges such as saturation, falling prices, and post-harvest losses, which drove many farmers to abandon their fields.
To address these pressing issues, Mindoro State University (MinSU) launched the CalaMinSU Project in 2016—a pioneering community-based initiative aimed at revitalizing the calamansi industry and restoring it as a vital source of livelihood for local farmers.
Achievements and Partnerships
The CalaMinSU Project’s achievements are strengthened by partnerships with key agencies, including the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), MinSCAT (now MinSU), and the Local Government Unit of Victoria. Together, these collaborators contributed a total budget of PHP 13,119,000. These partnerships enhanced financial management, market strategies, and sustainable practices among local farmers.
In addition, MinSU collaborated with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and local farmer cooperatives to introduce cutting-edge technologies such as the Multi-Lateral Juice Extractor for large-scale calamansi juice production; the Controlled Atmosphere Storage Facility to extend the shelf life of calamansi; and Mechanical Sizers for efficient sorting and grading of fruits.
Empowering Farmers
A highlight of the project was the empowerment of farmers through various capacity enhancement programs and training, including values formation, leadership, production technologies, processing, marketing, and financial literacy. As a result, farmers have adopted sustainable practices and engaged in value-added product development, leading to improved incomes.
Notable products include Calamansi Concentrate, which provides year-round income and gained recognition as the base for the Vermillion Empress cocktail during the Emperador Academy competition in June 2024; and the Calamansi Marmalade, Spray-Dried Calamansi, and Calamansi Soap, which have garnered local and national attention.
Innovations and Technological Advancements
At its core, the CalaMinSU Project addresses the industry’s most critical issues while championing sustainable practices and innovative solutions. Its success is also attributed to the collaborative efforts of the MinSU Research and Extension Department, the project's proponent and primary implementer, and various MinSU colleges that developed complementary programs aligned with CalaMinSU’s objectives.
The Institute of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering (IABE) introduced innovative technologies such as the Rotating-Type Perforated Dual Drum Mechanical Multi-Crop Sizer and the Semi-Automatic Controlled Atmosphere Storage Facility. These advancements have streamlined operations, improved efficiency, and made large-scale production more accessible to farmers.
Additionally, the College of Computer Studies developed a mobile app to assist farmers in detecting pests and diseases, empowering them with real-time tools to protect their crops and improve yields. This innovation has been recognized as one of the most groundbreaking solutions in the region.
These technologies are currently being patented and prepared for commercialization, with the potential to modernize calamansi farming across the Philippines.
The CalaMinSU initiative has not only revitalized a struggling industry in Oriental Mindoro but has also strengthened local communities, promoted sustainable agriculture, and contributed to national economic goals and global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Future Directions
Looking ahead, the program focuses on commercializing innovative technologies, exploring eco-friendly uses for calamansi waste, ensuring competitiveness in global markets, and expanding its reach to international audiences.
Through its collaborative and forward-thinking approach, the CalaMinSU Project serves as a model for agricultural revitalization in the Philippines.
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302 Staff
10531 Students
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