Commercializing tamarind, bamboo production

MAGALANG, Pampanga – Expect the Philippine tamarind industry to perk up in the immediate future. And that of bamboo, too.

Basis of his optimistic outlook is an R&D program just launched here for the mass propagation and commercialization of sweet tamarind and bamboo.

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the program’s implementation was signed last Aug. 3 at the Pampanga Agricultural College (PAC) here among PAC, the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), and the Magalang local government unit (LGU). Signatories to the MOU were DA-BAR director Nicomedes P, Eleazar, PAC president Zosimo Battad, and Magalang Mayor Pasto Guiao.

The program aims primarily to produce sufficient quality planting materials of sweet tamarind and bamboo at reasonable price; to encourage the planting of sweet tamarind and bamboo; and to develop strong industries for sweet tamarind and bamboo in the Philippines.

It will coordinate with LGUs, provincial and municipal agricultural offices, and private entrepreneurs for the commercialization of sweet tamarind and bamboo.

The local tamarind industry has not been fully developed. But tamarind’s export potentials are bright because it can be processed into jams, candies, juices, and drinks. With the program, the tamarind can be said to be headed for more profitable times. – RAF