The Philippine Coconut Authority-Zamboanga Research Center (PCA-ZRC)
plans to increase coco-sugar exports in the coming years as more and more
coconut farmers have learned how to process sugar from "tuba," or toddy, their
drinking fare.
Ramon Rivera, PCA-ZRC deputy director, said PCA Administrator
Oscar G. Garin supported the plan.
Garin is set to implement a nationwide salt fertilization
campaign to boost the production of nuts and copra, a top export product of the
country.
The PCA said the country remains the top coconut exporter
worldwide.
Coco sugar has been exported to the United States, where it
is consumed by diabetics, and will soon be shipped to Japan and the Middle East.
Rivera said he expects demand to rise proportionately as coco
sugar is now the craze of millions of people suffering from diabetes.
Research results have shown that diabetics who use coco sugar
have stable blood sugar levels.
The glycemic index of coco-sugar is 35, a level that is good
for the proper control of diabetes mellitus. It is also good for weight
maintenance as it reduces low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels.
Coco sugar is also rich in nutrients- high in potassium,
phosphorus, magnesium, sulfur, calcium and Vitamin C.
"Sa kopra, hindi naman kumikita farmers dun, e. Sa coco-sugar
dahil tuba yan, directly mabe-benefit ang farmers. You are making a very good
product, nutritional product na palagay ko naman walang tatanggi. Sila pwede
magproduce, pwede nila gamitin and then maa-address mo yung nutrition problem.
Ano kami e, serve the people," Rivera said.
Rivera said coconut farmers can process coco-sugar from
"tuba" in their own backyard and it is easy to do.
"Just strain the toddy or tuba, boil it under fire to evaporate the water
then stir occasionally. Remove the foam that forms on the surface if needed.
Remove the pan from the fire but continue stirring until the mixture becomes
granular. When the liquid turns golden brown, reduce the fire while continuously
stirring until the liquid thickens. Air-dry the sugar before packing," Rivera
added.
