Discoveries at WOFEX 13

We found some encouraging details about the food industry in the recently-concluded World Food Expo (WOFEX), an international exposition on worldwide food and beverages. Our discoveries include little known facts with regard to farm practices that improve the livelihood of farmers and cattle breeders. We were enlightened as well on the efforts of government agencies established to help our cottage industries. We got to talk to a young man named Leo, one of the staff manning a booth that carries kesong puti (Filipino cottage cheese) and jackfruit preserves.

Kesong puti is a product of Laguna, which we never would miss getting whenever we would be in the Sta Cruz area. It turns out that the major producers are from Magdalena, a four-hour drive from Manila.

The Philippine Council for Agriculture and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) was established as one of the sectoral councils under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in 2011. They address the needs of small and micro-entrepreneurs, farmers and growers. They hold training seminars. One of these groups are the makers of kesong puti.  

Kesong puti is made from buffalo milk, not cow’s milk. This is because buffalos, our so called “beasts of burden,” abound in the country more than cows. Leo said it is rich in protein and has less cholesterol. We remember our late mother would drive to Alabang Stock Farm, breeding place for carabaos, in Muntinlupa (which we reckon is now part of the Alabang development) to get fresh carabao milk for us to drink.

The buffalo is one of the most promising nutrition and income sources for rural families. PCAARRD has produced a 20-cow Module Buffalo Milk Production profitability analysis, showing that investors will realize income in the second year of operation. This keso is sold not only as white cheese but is made into pastillas de leche, milk candies, and even yogurt and mozzarella. Interested investors are encouraged to get in touch with PCAARRD in Los Baños, tel. (6349) 536-0014.

Baryofroyo is the maker of Pinoy frozen yogurt, which now accepts franchise applications.               

Our other discovery is about the jackfruit tree. When we moved to our current base, someone gifted us with a langka tree. After a few years, it bore some fruits but we had a 20 percent failure in harvesting them.

Two of them simply fell to the ground when nearly ripe. They were insect/borer infected. A handbook from PCAARRD reveals that jackfruits are highly susceptible to this unwanted “invaders.” Outside of wrapping the fruit, which is an old technique of backyard gardeners, there are now  control measures available that can be adopted. The insects attack the fruit in its early stages, when they are still buds.

With expanded production, the jackfruit might be a tool of better livelihood for the rural folk. The tree is grown principally in Eastern Visayas, where farmers are extended technical help, specifically by introducing an effective spray, a friendly fungus called Metarhizuim anisopliae, to protect the fruits from insect invasion.

In 1996, jackfruit was named a banner crop by The Agricultural Field Unit 8 as high value commercial crop.

Baybay Delights is vacumm fried and dehydrated jackfruit produced in Baybay City, Leyte and sold in packs of 50 grams. With its exposure in the Food Expo, we can expect it to be on the shelves of nearby markets.

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