Article Features
DAR backs 'pili' sweets industry of Sorsogon
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Jan 29, 2010 - 3:10:49 PM

MANILA, Jan. 30 (PNA Features) –- The Bicol Region is known for its “pili” nuts. No one leaves the place without it.

Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs) throughout the region are engaged in the industry in cooperation with the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

“The supply of pili nuts have increased in the last two years with the establishment of 30 orchard farms in Sorsogon City Agrarian Reform Community (SCARC) in Sorsogon Province,” said Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman.

He said the project, in partnership among DAR, DTI, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Sorsogon helps more farmers earn additional income aside from rice farming and copra producing.

Pangandaman said DAR tapped the Salvacion Farmers’ Development Cooperative (SAFADECO) and Sarong Grupo para sa Kauswagan (SAGKA) for the pili production project.

“The plantation will cover 10 hectares of land and could initially benefit 40 agrarian reform beneficiaries. In 2009, the pili project was expanded in Barangay Salvacion, Sorsogon City,” Pangandaman said.

SAFADECO and DAR established a nursery for the “pili” plants in a five hectare nursery-working area which was developed by five agrarian reform cooperators who became agents of transferring the new technology to other beneficiaries.

“Pili," scientifically known as “canarium ovatum” is indigenous to Bicol Region. Sorsogon, known as the land of prosperity, welcomes its visitors with a huge landmark of this wooden fruit as they enter the province.

While pili nut was introduced in other countries, it is only in the Philippines where it is processed in commercial quantity.

Bicol, the major producer, has produced approximately 4,462.1 metric tons in 2005 with Sorsogon covering the highest production of 2,549 metric tons.

Pili is believed to have originated from the slopes of Bulusan Volcano. It has many uses: The hard thick shell from its fruit is used as fuel and material for handicraft. The fruit when soaked in hot water makes the outside edible pulp edible, while its kernel can be eaten fresh. (PNA Features)V3/JCA