Manila, The Philippines
October 22, 2008
Source:
BusinessMirror via
SEAMEO SEARCA
The Department of Agriculture-Biotechnology Program Office
(DA-BPO) is eyeing to develop Central Luzon as a hub for
agricultural biotechnology products and has conducted a series
of seminars in the region to promote the cultivation of crops
with many byproducts to raise rural incomes and improve
nutrition.
Zambales Gov. Amor Deloso and Bataan Vice Gov. Serafin Roman
attended the seminars in their provinces.
These seminars were attended by farmers, educators, businessmen,
nongovernment organizations (NGOs) and representatives of local
government units (LGUs).
Malunggay production was a key topic in the seminars, since the
versatile tree has proven to be a major source of iron, vitamin
A, zinc and other micronutrients crucial to the improvement of
health among children and adults alike.
DA-BPO officials, led by director Alicia Ilaga, have been
crisscrossing the country to expand the hectarage devoted to
malunggay cultivation and, in the process, have increased the
business opportunities offered by the lowly malunggay (Moringa
oleifera Lmk).
Malunggay has also been known to increase the motility of sperm
and improve lactation among nursing mothers, which is a boost to
children who need to suckle their mothers in order to avoid
contracting primary complex, which leads to lung diseases in
adulthood.
Other studies conducted in India and other countries showed that
the roots of malunggay have anticancer agents that can be
isolated and used profitably by the global pharmaceutical
industry.
Moreover, LGUs interested in joining the biofuel bandwagon also
have a ready energy source in malunggay since its trunk can be
used to produce ethanol, while its seeds are a fount of
biodiesel.
Central Luzon is known as the primary rice producer of the
Philippines, with 525,700 hectares of land devoted to the
staple. Nueva Ecija alone produces about 8 percent of the total
national production of palay.
The total hectarage for rice comprises 41 percent of the
region's total territory.
Other agricultural products in the region are sugar cane, corn,
mango and cutflowers.
In Zambales alone, 25,412 hectares are utilized for rice
production.
On the other hand, Bataan has 29,938 hectares earmarked for rice
cultivation.
In the seminars conducted by DA-BPO, participants were shown
malunggay's potential as a commodity with various applications
and even bakeries, pastry shops and noodle manufacturers are now
using malunggay leaves as ingredients for their products, some
of which have already penetrated the international market.
Secura International president Danilo Manayaga also joined the
seminars and discussed how Moringa oil can be profitable for
malunggay growers.
He further said that as the world market shifts to biofuel as a
primary energy source, the demand for Moringa oil will rise
tremendously.
In an interview, Roman said Bataan is now ready to make
malunggay a primary product.
"Bataan is a mountainous area, so [there's a lot of] upland
farming. Malunggay doesn't need a lot of water, so if you're
talking upland farming, that place is suitable for malunggay,"
he adds.
When asked on the province's stand on biotechnology, he said
Bataan has been cultivating Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn to
help farmers gain more profit. Corn is a prime crop in Bataan.
Roman added other crops like coconut and cassava are open to
enhancement through biotechnology.
While the land devoted to farming is small, the people of Bataan
are very keen on intensifying agricultural production through
the efficient use of farms.
Lagundi, another plant that has gained fame for its medicinal
properties, is cultivated in Bataan. A pharmaceutical company in
Bagac is planting it and manufacturing various preparations from
the active ingredient derived from the plant.
There is also a plan to set up a malunggay nursery in the
province to help boost the growing malunggay industry. This, he
said, will be realized through the collaboration of the LGUs and
the DA-BPO.
Biotechnology is a major part of Deloso's vision to develop
Zambales as a key agricultural producer.
His long-term plan for Zambales is to create a community that
can stand on its own. Biotechnology should play the role of
realizing the industrialization of the province as well.
Deloso said that while the province is undergoing
industrialization, biotechnology should take care of the food
and nutrition needs of the people of Zambales.
"It was neglected," was his answer, when asked on the status of
malunggay farming in the province. "It wasn't given so much
attention. But if that's really given primary concern that will
expand, because we can easily adapt to malunggay."
He also revealed the provincial government's plan to buy
malunggay seedlings and distribute these to his constituents.
Zambales is also working on a project to build a biogas plant,
where waste generated by Zambales, including Olongapo, will be
used to produce butane.
Aside from Bataan and Zambales, a malunggay nursery has been put
up in Tarlac earlier in this year.
This was done through the initiative of BIONet-Pilipinas, an
organization that aims to help farmers and stakeholders reach
their products to the market, DA-BPO and the LGU. Biolife News
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