Philippines: Entrepreneurs partner with biotech firm for the supply of malunggay oil, leaves

RECOGNIZING the income potential of planting malunggay, several farmers recently established their own malunggay nurseries for the commercial plantation of the nutritious tree.
The private nurseries were established in partnership with Secura International, Inc. a local biotech company which is also contracting farmers for the supply of malunggay seeds and leaves.

Secura is exporting moringa oil to various companies that manufacture personal health care products. It also supplies powdered malunggay leaves to local food processors.
Director Alicia Ilaga, head of the Department of Agriculture (DA) - Biotechnology Program Office (BPO) said the private nurseries will complement the existing malunggay nurseries put up by agencies under DA.
In Alaminos, Pangasinan, a five-hectare agricultural land was converted into a malunggay nursery by proprietor Rey Balanon. Philip Delfin, a farmer-entrepreneur from Mangaarem, Pangasinan has put up a three-hectare nursery.
Several farmers’ cooperatives have also decided to venture into malunggay farming such as the Malunggay Farmers Development Corp. in Bamban, Tarlac, which has initially planted 15 hectares of malunggay. The group is eyeing to devote 2,000 hectares to put up their own commercial plantation.
The Pampanga Agricultural College has devoted 2 hectares of forest reserves under its care for malunggay. PAC is eyeing to expand its malunggay farm from two hectares to 10 hectares in the next few months.
“We are now sowing the seeds of the malunggay industry. We will be ready for commercial plantation next year,” Ilaga said.
According to Ilaga, there’s also a 10-hectare malunggay plantation in Masinloc, Zambales. In Palayan City, Nueva Ecija, a two-hectare agricultural land is now devoted to malunggay.
Several local chief executives have also started their own malunggay plantations.
Mayor Ding Villena of Padre Burgos, Quezon has turned a 2-hectare idle land into a profitable malunggay plantation. Former Mayor Abang Mabulo of San Fernando, Camarines Sur has also devoted five hectares of his land for malunggay.
In Naga City, the Karunga Farmers’ Association has put up a 5-hectare plant while proprietor Ellen Camacho of Daet, Camarines Norte has also established her own 5-hectare malunggay plantation.
Farmer Florante Vicuna of Valencia, Negros Oriental has a 4-hectare plantation in her town. Mel Senen Sarmiento of Calbayog City, Western Samar also has two hectares. He plans to devote another 8 hectares for malunggay seed production.
In Carigara, Leyte, Roque Aguilar has put up a 5-hectare plantation. Another 2-hectare plantation was put up in Magsaysay, Misamis Oriental recently.
There are existing malunggay nurseries put up by the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Caraga, Negros Occidental, Quezon City and in Region 3.
Ilaga said the increasing numer of farmers interested in planting malunggay is phenomenal and it is based on the sudden interest of many people in the tree, which has nutritious seeds, leaves, roots and even fruits.
“The seeds of the malunggay are rich in oil. Using biotechnology, the seeds can produce pure oil which has low transfatty acid, like the precious olive oil, but a lot cheaper like coconut oil,” Ilaga said. (biolife news service)

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