FROM Jinny Pinaroc jinnypinaroc@yahoo.com. Read your article about malunggay. Where I can buy malunggay oil? I have very itchy and unsightly skin allergy. I wonder if malunggay can help. Hope you can find time to email me. God bless!

From Rosalia Sarmiento <ayen_rs21276@yahoo.com>: I read in your column that malunggay is a miracle tree. I am interested to know the procedure and other information on how to process malunggay into oil. Your response is highly appreciated.

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The Valencia Contract Growers Association headed by Florante Vicuna has agreed to venture with a biotech firm called Secura International Inc. (Dauin in Negros Oriental) for the production of natural ingredients extracted from malunggay, also known as kalamunggay to the local farmers.

Vicuna said they have committed 20 hectares of agricultural land owned by the association’s 45 farmers. These lands will be planted to malunggay and harvested for its leaves which are in great demand in the world market. A two-hectare area has been set aside to test malunggay’s productivity.

"With our venture with Secura, we would be ensuring the improvement of the lives of our members, as well as providing up to 300 jobs to local farmers," Vicuna said.

According to Mayor Rodolfo Gonzales, the local government is willing to fund such projects and has allocated P10 million for agricultural projects, especially those that involve high value crops.

"We need to start investing on agricultural industries that have practical implications and technologies," the mayor said. "There is no question that biotechnology is the way to the future."

With the introduction of yet another product to the natural ingredients industry, malunggay farming is foreseen to be a very fruitful venture. Due to the high nutritional content of malunggay, it is becoming a very popular food supplement all over the world. With this demand, Secura is now opening its doors to farmers, not only in Valencia.

According to Danilo Manayaga, president of Secura. Valencia is a very suitable place to put up facilities for the planting and processing of malunggay. "We are planning to set up facilities to process papaya and malunggay and also facilities for essential oil production."

"The farmers need to organize themselves and link up with BioNET where the supply chain for their products is set for the planting of non-traditional, high-value crops."

With the target establishment of biotechnology facilities, municipalities all over Negros Oriental are encouraged to venture into the farming of non-traditional high value crops.

After strategically positioning itself for the production of planting materials, having established malunggay nurseries in various parts of the country, the DA is now gearing up for the massive cultivation or commercial plantation of what is now described as "miracle tree" in areas where they grow best.

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