DOST VI supports development of muscovado industry in WV
Muscovado sugar is a commodity most identified to Western Visayas most especially to Antique. In the recent assessment of the muscovado mills in Antique, it was found out that all muscovado mills are in need of much needed technology interventions, particularly in standardizing the process and cleaner production technology. In the 1960s, seven out of 10 kilograms of muscovado produced came from this province but by 2001, Antique's prominence declined, accounting for only 38% of production, and further dropping to just 28% in 2003. The decline was largely attributed to the closure of a number of muscovado mills due to poor product pricing and the conversion of sugarcane areas into rice farms. But despite the decline in market share, the region still has the most number at 150 of muscovado mills in operation. Some 1,800 farmers tilling 1,400 hectares depended on this industry earning between P12.00 to 16.00 for every kilo they produce. The lack of standards resulted to problems in moisture content, insolubles, microbial load and inconsistency of color. It was reported also in 2003 that out of a total of 5.4 million kilos of muscovado production, the Philippines exported only 481,000 kilos or only 8.9% of the total production due to poor quality or competitiveness in the international market. Study also shows that while Region VI consistently supplies the bulk of muscovado sugar in the country for the last century, product quality has remained poor such that it cannot qualify for the more lucrative domestic and export markets.
In order to address these problems, DOST came up with a holistic package of technology interventions for the muscovado industry in Region VI. The project sought to upgrade and standardize the traditional muscovado processing technology from a crude village type commodity to one that conforms to international food safety standards. The array of services under the project included mill upgrading, technology transfer on process and quality control, package development including label design, establishment of Common Service Facility on packaging as well as training on food safety standards and practices. These were all implemented under the over-all framework of the DOST Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program (SET-UP) which seeks to provide a wide range of technical support to micro, small and medium enterprises.
In support to the project, the muscovado industry was likewise able to draw the assistance of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) KR2 Project which has approved the funding of additional processing equipment. Sustainability of this project is ensured by a repayment scheme designed in a way that the collected amortization is reprogrammed for replication to the next batch of muscovado mills until a critical mass of upgraded mills shall have been attained.
The improved process assures high quality muscovado vis-à-vis higher price or more income for both, millers and farmers thus producing a sediment-free, food grade and safe for human consumption muscovado.
DOST is aggressively pushing the upgrading of the muscovado sugar industry in Region VI in order to boost production and promotion of the health food. For more information regarding DOST programs and services, the public may contact DOST Regional Director Rowen R. Gelonga. (DOST VI)