From being a lowly vegetable in the backyards, the moringa oleifera, popularly known as “malunggay” is now on center stage through the wonders of biotechnology.
To accelerate massive commercial production of highly nutritious malunggay, the Consuelo “Chito” Madrigal Foundation (CCMF) in cooperation with the Kalunggay Farmers of Camarines Sur (KFCS) formally launched their partnership with SECURA International at the Madrigal Center for Social Entrepreneurship, Ateneo de Naga University last December 11.
Director Alice Ilaga, Director of Biotechnology of the Department of Agriculture (DA) said that “malunggay” is an ordinary vegetable with exceptional qualities and uses that are still unknown to many.
Re-discovering other useful aspects of malunggay would open windows for opportunities and business prospects. This in turn, she added, could be one of the best routes out of poverty and would alleviate the economic burden that is slowly crippling our society.”
According to Ilaga, the DA is now strategically positioning itself for the commercial planting of seeds for malunggay oil production.
“They are also building linkages with various national government agencies, particularly with the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) to study the development package technology using the Nicaraguan experience as a model.”
Based on research, malunggay is considered as one of the most nutritiousvegetables. It has twice the calcium found in milk, possesses three times of the potassium found in bananas and contains 3/4 of the iron found in spinach. Its leaves, flowers and pods are also used as cooking ingredients.
The oil extracted from its leaves is far superior to olive oil. It is also used as an alternative cheap and readily available natural medicine for common illnesses.
Malunggay can even be made more nutritious by simply processing the malunggay fresh leaves into leaf powder and adding them to soups, sauces, breads, biscuits and practically in every food that are serve on the table. Its seeds can be used as a source of edible oil, medicine, cosmetic ingredient, lubricant, and as biofuel. The malunggay cake or “sapal” can still be used a biofertilizer, animal food ingredients and for water treatment.
The signing of the Purchase Agreement between KFCS represented by its president, former Naga City Councilor Julian Lavadia and SECURA International thru its president, Danny Manayaga sealed the partnership that would bind the two parties in mass-producing the power veggie into a viable commodity.
Aside from Director Ilaga, the signing was also witnessed by DTI provincial director Edna Tejada, Consuelo Chito Madrigal Foundation executive officer Fr. Wilmer Tria, former World Bank consultant Dolores Velasco, Ateneo de Naga president Rev. Fr. Joel E. Tabora, and representatives from various government and private sectors.
(LSMacatangay, PIA Cams. Sur)
