DA pushes increased consumption of adlay

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture (DA) is pushing for increased consumption and trade of adlay, popularly known as Chinese barley, as an alternative food staple to lessen pressure on rice production.

Adlay, also known as Job’s tears, belongs to the same family of grass  as wheat, corn and rice,  and is a popular food staple in East and Southeast Asia.

In the Philippines, the grain is largely consumed as an alternative to rice in Zamboanga del Sur, and as an alternative to rice and as ingredient in native wine.

The DA has been providing production support for several farmers’ cooperatives producing the drought-resistant grain.

Alcala said increased consumption and trade of adlay would help the country cope with the ill effects of the prolonged dry spell that is expected to occur later this year.

“Given that we are in an El Niño year, adlay gains greater relevance as a drought-resistant staple crop,” said Alcala.

Several farmers’ cooperatives in the country, such as those in Barangay Legarda Uno in Dinas, Zamboanga de Sur, already produce the grain.

Adlay can be consumed as an alternative staple or as various delicacies.

Because of the versatility of the grain, the DA is also eyeing possible export markets for the grain.

Alcala said Japanese importers have expressed “strong” interest in the commodity.

The Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) is spearheading a study on the promotion of adlay as a high-fiber cereal for weight-conscious people.

The DA has been promoting the use of adlay as an alternative food staple under its flagship Food Staples Sufficiency Program (FSSP).

In line with this, BAR is conducting adaptability trials in strategic locations nationwide to assess the performance of different varieties of adlay.

These trial areas include technology demonstration farms in Region 9 (Midsalip in Zamboanga del Sur); Region 4A (Lipa City, Batangas); Region 5 (Pili, Camarines Sur); Region 2 (Ilagan, Isabela) and Region 10 (Malaybalay in Bukidnon).

During the trial plantings, 11 adlay varieties were identified for commercial production: gulian, kinampay (ginampay), pulot (or tapol), linay, mataslai, agle gestakyan, NOMIARC dwarf, jalayhay, and ag-gey. From these varieties, three are commonly grown and found in the country: gulian, kinampay (or ginampay), pulot (or tapol).

BAR is currently coordinating 32 adlay-related projects involving state colleges and universities and other research  institutions across the country.

Jennifer Remoquillo, DA’s national coordinator for high value crops development program, said that the adlay program revolves around three central tasks: encourage increased consumption of the cereal in various product forms, area expansion and achieve better yields through continuous technology demonstrations and making quality seeds available to farmers, and promotion of better harvest and postharvest practices and facilities.