The Department of Agriculture (DA) has stepped propagation of malunggay or moringa seedlings for commercial cultivation following the damage wrought by recent typhoons on malunggay nurseries.

DA-Biotechnology Program Office (BPO) Director Alicia Ilaga said the DA is working full-time for the propagation of malunggay seedlings, known as the “poor man’s vegetable,” for massive cultivation.

“Although some of the malunggay nurseries put up with the help of the BPO have been damaged, enough seeds have been produced and ready to be transplanted,” Ilaga said.

She pointed out that DA has been looking for the possible commercial cultivation of malunggay for the production of seeds and malunggay leaves to meet local as well as international demand.

There is a huge international demand for malunggay seeds which are widely-used to produce all-purpose oil. Meanwhile, the malunggay leaves, are intended for food and feed processing.

The DA-BPO has also promoted the backyard cultivation of malunggay in Metro Manila, to help address the problem of malnutrition among urban poor families.

Ilaga has been receiving regular reports from the Moringa Growers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (MGAPI) monitoring team regarding the status of the malunggay nurseries maintained by members.

As of October, the Caraga Moringa Farmers Association has 30,000 seedlings, Western Cebu Moringa Farmers’ Association, 15,000 seedlings; Camarines Sur Moringa Farmers’ Association, 60,000 seedlings; CVC Moringa Farmers' Association, 75,000 seedlings; First Congressional District Malunggay Planters Association, 30,000 seedlings; Integrated Farmers’ Association for Malunggay Production of Camarines Norte, 20,000 seedlings; Misamis Occidental, ZANorte Moringa Farmers’ Association, 65,000 seedlings; and Nueva Moringa Planters Association, 50,000 seedlings.