New Marawi facility to produce biofuel from malunggay seeds

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture-Biotechnology Program Office (DA-BPO) has established a Marawi City facility that will produce biofuel from malunggay seeds. Besides providing employment to Maranaos, an ethnic group, the first Moringa Oil Manufacturing Plant in the city is also expected to expand trade opportunities for malunggay growers. The facility intends to process oil from malunggay seeds, producing a viable source of biodiesel for export to the United States. FDC Lanao Moringa Farmers Association, Inc. and Secura, all-Filipino biotechnology company, the Moringa Oil Manufacturing Plant Site will produce 150 million gallons of moringa oil a year. Marawi City is a strategic location for the plant since it has sufficient water supplies The city also serves as a gateway to other areas in the region like Bukidnon, Cotabato, and the Zamboanga Peninsula. Currently, the plant site in within a 3.5-hectare plantation developed by the FDC Lanao Moringa Farmers Association Inc. Secura hopes to expand the plantation to 30,000 hectares this year. Danny Manayaga, Secura president, said it plans expand its moringa plantation to 100,000 hectares. On the third week of June, training sessions will be conducted in Marawi City to help farmers improve and enhance commercial production of malunggay. The training courses will be conducted through a tie-up with the Blo Umpar Adiong Agricultural School. Bureau of Plant Industry personnel will also train Marawi State University technicians on commercial moringa oil production. The women of Marawi City will be taught household processing of leaves to produce different malunggay products. - GMANews.TV