Malunggay and dilis deemed viable investment products

CEBU, Philippines —  Filipinos may start venturing into malunggay (moringa) and dilis, as demand for these nutrient powerhouse is seen to surge as consumers now prioritize health-boosting products.

The Southeast Asian Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and Bureau of Agriculture Research (BAR) study showed that malunggay products have met the parameters for each tool to be identified as a financially viable investment project.

   The SEARCA-BAR project supported the financial feasibility of the products under which the resource persons used cash flow analysis with the following tools; net present value, benefit-cost ratio, and financial internal rate return.

Amid the threats of Covid-19, malunggay and ‘dilis’ are turning out to be a “go to” for nutrition as the Southern Luzon State University (SLSU) has developed a highly marketable Malunggay Powder and Dilis Flour (MPDF).

The SLSU in Tagkawayan, Quezon has developed the MPDF which is now a product deemed as highly marketable under the Technology and Investment Profiles (TIP) monograph series published by SEARCA.

The analysis showed that pure malunggay powder and MPDF have promising investment potential, thereby indicating that it is a feasible investment for interested investors to look into.

SEARCA Director Glenn M. Gregorio said that through SEARCA’s core program on Emerging for Innovation for Growth, SEARCA is now actively working to promote technology-based innovations among local enterprises.  This is under SEARCA’s 11th Five-Year Plan focused on Accelerating Transformation Though Agricultural Innovation.

The experts said MPDF technology can be used as food ingredient in many dishes and as flavoring to various food delicacies including ham, longganisa, tapa, sausage, pork-fish siomai, kropek, macaroni soup, porridge, polvoron, squash cake, ensaymada, pizza pie, toge, tart, and hotcake, among others.

With this, it aims to increase home consumption of inexpensive yet highly nutritious food.

Its target consumers include other institutional buyers (e.g., bakeshops, eateries, restaurants, hotel establishments, and hospitals); entrepreneurs who are engaged in food processing business enterprises; households, particularly those with lactating mothers and malnourished children; vegetarians, especially those suffering from anemia; and government agencies implementing feeding programs.

Many times richer in vitamin C, malunggay is not only being touted as “better than cure” solution as it may help prevent many other diseases.  It has been known that fresh malunggay leaves haves seven times the vitamin C of orange, four times the vitamin A of carrots, four times the calcium of milk.

This popular vegetable is part of the Filipino diet for generations. ‘Tinolang manok’(chicken cooked in papaya) will not be complete without malunggay leaves.

   Malunggay is a source of 49 vitamins and minerals and essential amino acids. In addition, it is also known for its abundant medicinal benefits.

As production increases, different technological developments of the product were conducted to further its utilization and versatility.

Some are now using malunggay powder to fortify the all-time favorite pan de sal.

Malunggay’s use and consumption has been promoted by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a low-cost health enhancer in poor countries around the globe.

Meanwhile, dilis or Philippine anchovy, more known in their dried fish form, are abundant in the market.  While they are quite popular among the older generation, they are not a hit to the young ones.

Like malunggay, dilis—a small, common saltwater forage fish—has been identified as rich in protein and other minerals and vitamins with high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Specifically, anchovies are a good source of minerals, including calcium, potassium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, and sodium.

Moreover, anchovies are rich in vitamins such as B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, and B12), vitamins A, C, E, and K.