Biliran town promotes alternative grain

CABUCGAYAN, Biliran, Feb. 22 (PNA) -- The local government unit of this town is into cultivation of a grain variety called “adlay,” an alternative staple food.

The propagation of this grain, which kicked off last year, is part of the local government’s food security program since the town has no vast area for rice cultivation.

This will also provide livelihood opportunities to poor families, according to Mayor Edwin Masbang, who got the 1,000 kilograms of adlay grain for planting from Northern Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center in Malaybalay, Bukidnon.

About 70 hectares of farm in the town out of the initial 100 hectares target have been planted with “adlay.”

Cabucgayan has 2,905 hectares devoted to farming, representing 59.63 percent of the town’s total land area.

“Unlike rice and corn, land preparation for “adlay” is only once with a maximum harvest up to four times in two years’ time,” Masbang said.

“The production is cost efficient because it doesn’t need irrigation unlike rice and corn. Its yield is at 2,000 to 4,000 kilograms per hectare after four to five months. The grain can be stocked up to 10 years,” Masbang explained.

Unlike rice, it takes longer for an adlay consumer to fell hungry because of its high food energy content.

The grain can also be processed into a breakfast cereal and as main ingredients in the preparation of local delicacies, hence, providing additional income to farmers.

The grain has a market value of PHP300 per kilogram or six to seven times higher than the cost of rice.

“Adlay” is a tall grain-bearing perennial tropical plant of the grass family native to Southeast Asia and grows in higher areas where rice and corn do not grow well.

The grain bears tear-shape grains and harvested, pounded, threshed, and winnowed when matured. It is served just like rice, but takes a bit more time to cook due to its larger size.

The grain is also used as medicine in some parts of Asia like China. (PNA)

LAP/SQM/RTA/EGR