DA, Unilever in talks for tamarind plantation

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture (DA) is currently in talks with Unilever Philippines for the identification of possible sites for a proposed tamarind plantation that can supply the vegetable requirements of its Knorr products.

High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) director Jennifer Remoquillo said that DA is currently making an inventory of existing tamarind cultivation areas.

“Our first step is to make an inventory of existing tamarind planting areas,” said Remoquillo.

She said that as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility initiatives, Unilever prefers to establish a plantation in areas cultivated by indigenous peoples (IP).

“This is a corporate social responsibility initiative of Unilever, and they prefer IP cultivating areas in the Philippines, “ she said.

The DA is promoting the cultivation of fruit-bearing trees like tamarind to strengthen the country’s natural ingredients industry and take advantage of the $400-billion global market for natural ingredients.

Tamarind, which is abundant in the country, needs to be cultivated systematically to satisfy the requirements of instant sour broth makers.

Other crops that are being pushed for cultivation by the department are lagundi and tumeric, both of which are known for their medicinal properties.

Remoquillo said makers of instant sour broth mixes in the country still import at least 8,000 metric tons (MT) for their raw material requirements.