ABUCAY, Bataan- The only grape farm and considered as the first successful venture in grape production in Bataan
started harvesting first week of May this year.
The 3,000-square-meter farm is located about 300 meters from the Roman Superhighway in Barangay Laon here. It is planted to Brazilian hi-breed variety cuttings coming from La Union.
“Akala namin hindi maaari dahil mainit dito pero sinubukan naming magtanim at pwede naman pala. First time kong makakita ng ubasan sa lalawigan,” said 58-year-old farm owner Leonie Alonzo. Provincial agriculturist Imelda Inieto confi rmed that Leonie’s grape farm is the only one in Bataan.
“Ito ang kauna-unahan at kaisa-isang nagtagumpay. May ilang sumubok pero walang nangyari dahil hindi sila nakatagpo ng magandang cuttings ng ubas,” she said. Inieto said that the thrust of the Department of Agriculture is for farmers to increase their productivity by planting high value crops like grapes.
Alonzo said that they started planting on February 10, 2013 and pruned the vines sometime last December. In 120 days after pruning, the grapes were ready for harvest. The portions pruned or the cuttings for planting are sold at P75 each. The fruits are disposed at P180 a kilo.
The farm owner said proper application of organic and inorganic fertilizers, spraying of pesticides to prevent white molds, use of organic soil with mixture of sand, sprinkling of enough water and close supervision are ingredients for grape production to be successful.
Alonzo said grape vines last for a century that once planted, it will only have to be pruned after every harvest to bear fruits again.
