Six countries are interested to import organic muscovado sugar from the Philippines. But the low production is not even enough to support local demand.

This situation prompted the government to provide the much-needed science and technology (S&T) intervention to boost the organic muscovado production.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Netherlands, Germany, the United States, Japan and South Korea have expressed their interest to import organically produced muscovado sugar from President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat, through the Muscovado Sugar Corp. in the same province.

Both the UAE and Japan want to import 600 tons each of organic muscovado a month, which far exceeds the 100 tons that the Muscovado Corp. could produce a month.

Cornelio Castañeda, Muscovado Corp. manager and the “Magsasaka Siyentista” of S&T-based farm on organic production of muscovado sugar in the Sultan Kudarat town, said the company’s production of organic muscovado sugar is not enough to supply the local market.

The organic production of sugar cane and the processing of organic cane sugar are showcased in the S&T-based farming and production of Castañeda. To support him and other farmers like him, organic muscovado sugar was chosen as the focus commodity/product of the Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) or Techno Pinoy Center in President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat.

Airing the common concern of the municipality, Castañeda appealed for sustained support from the government and other concerned organizations for the production of export-quality muscovado sugar.

Responding to this concern, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) of the Department of Science and Technology provided the much-needed science and technology intervention in the processing of organic cane sugar.  Specifically, PCARRD supported the upgrading of processing facilities and providing technical assistance.

According to Castañeda, with S&T intervention, the Muscovado Corp. was able to improve its product and consequently increased its market price from P17/kilogram to P35/kilogram.

“Our products labeled Bonus Pack or Farm Cottages muscovado sugar are now found in the shelves of the supermarkets, such as the SM in Davao and in Manila with prices of up to P75/kilogram,” Castañeda said.

Like any other Magsasaka Siyentista chosen by PCARRD in different areas of the country, Castañeda is eager to share his expertise with his fellow farmers in order to improve their agricultural production.

Experts observed that despite the higher prices of muscovado sugar compared with that of ordinary sugar, consumers prefer to buy muscovado for health concerns.

July quake caused ‘no significant damage’ to Japan’s nuke plant–IAEA

A second fact-finding mission of international nuclear-power experts to the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa power plant in Japan that shut down after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake in July 2007 confirmed that “there was no significant damage to parts of the plant important to safety.”

Palawan shows Jellyfish has economic importance

Jellyfish was once regarded as pests by fishermen because it reduces their catch when it entangles in their nets and scares away fishes from their fishing grounds.

Six countries are interested to import organic muscovado sugar from the Philippines. But the low production is not even enough to support local demand.

Nine winners in the regional level had been chosen in the industry and energy competitions conducted by the Philippine Council for Industry and Energy Research and Development (PCIERD). They will vie in the national level on March 14 as part of the celebration of PCIERD’s 26th anniversary celebration at the Dusit Hotel Nikko.

The Philippines, through the help of the Italian government, is harnessing marine current for alternative source of energy.