DA Set to Expand 'malunggay' Production in Bikol

PILI, Camarines Sur, July 15 (PNA) -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) has declared malunggay (moringa oleifera) as among the banner crops of Bikol as its Regional Field Unit (RFU) maps out strategies to expand its production through new technologies and proper motivation.

DA Regional Executive Director Jose Dayao on Wednesday said he had instructed all the research outreach stations (ROS) under the RFU in the six provinces of Bikol to facilitate the propagation of planting materials in support to a nationwide malunggay production and promotion program spearheaded by Agriculture Sec. Arthur Yap.

"We are piloting promising technologies for this distinct crop that is now considered among the banner commodities of Bikol next to coconut, abaca and pili," Dayao said.

Copra derived from coconut dubbed as the "Tree of Life," remains the top export and source of income for thousands of farming families in the region while abaca raw fiber is known worldwide as the Manila hemp is rebounding into regaining its glory as number one dollar earner for the country, he said.

The provinces of Catanduanes, Sorsogon and Albay are leading sources of this export product not only as raw fiber but hand-crafted novelty items, home furnishing materials, clothing and garments.

This industry has been slowed down by plant diseases during the previous years but the recent development of abaca biotechnology has been taking place which provides disease-resistant cultivators.

Pili, considered as majestic tree owing to its many uses from its trunk, nuts, bark, elemi and leaves, has been recently declared by the DA as another flagship crop and industry of Bicol that offers bright prospects in the international market.

Small and medium-scale pili nut sweets manufacturing have been sprouting in the region and making good businesses in the market both here and abroad.

Malunggay is widely grown in the region particularly in Albay, Camarines Sur and Sorsogon but it remains to be considered a lowly crop and although some food enterprises are already processing it into several nutritional and pharmaceutical uses. Its main significance among households, however, remains limited to ordinary vegetable.

Most growers of this plant in the locality are already satisfied with backyard growing or as part of their fences, Dayao said.

"Taking a second look at this evergreen tree bearing small leaves however would lead us to a reality that this very ordinary vegetable is packed with essential vitamins and minerals that our body needs," he said,

Fresh malunggay leaves are rich in vitamins A, B, C, calcium, potassium, protein and iron. Studies showed that malunggay gives a feeling of wellness and at the same time balances sugar and cholesterol content in the body, Dayao said.

Leaves can be prescribed to treat anemia. Dubbed as miracle vegetable or the power "gulay", malunggay is now being processed as food fortifier, food supplement and even potent medicine, he said.

Seeing this great agribusiness potential of malunggay, Dayao said Sec. Yap urged the agriculture stakeholders to increase the production and diversify the use of this vegetable to help in fighting hunger and malnutrition especially in the rural areas.

For its part, the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) had included malunggay in its Indigenous Plants for Health and Wellness Program and identified the development of its plantations as a priority project, Dayao added. (PNA)