Breadfruit good addtl source of income for farmers–DA
A POTENTIAL source of income for agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and small farmers in Bicol has been discovered with the propagation of breadfruit commonly known as “rimas” or “kulo” in the backyards.
The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) said this jackfruit-like fruit has the potential for nutrition and economic empowerment, thus making way for a food-secure tenure.
This variety of fruit became popular in the Bicol region after Reynan Bobiles, a high school teacher from Albay, won in a local cooking competition in 2020 wherein he used breadfruit as a substitute for rice.
Bobiles chose to use the fruit on purpose to highlight its nutritional benefits and show its possibilities as an alternative option in the Filipino staple diet.
Backing his choice, nutritionist Chi Borromeo highlighted breadfruit’s potential in addressing health concerns, especially for undernourished children.
The DAR disclosed that the transformation of breadfruit from a backyard tree is not only reshaping how the tropical fruit can be used as an alternative to the country’s staple food but also opening new opportunities for agrarian reform beneficiaries and small farmers to secure a new sustainable source of income.
As full of nutritional benefits as it already is, breadfruit is versatile, allowing for many possibilities in the kitchen. Recent studies see the use of breadfruit flour and starch for pastries and other baked goods such as cookies, biscuits and breads.
Aside from being a potential substitute for rice, using breadfruit as an ingredient to replace flour in baking, whether 100% breadfruit or mixed with other ingredients, ushers a new era of culinary possibilities that positively influence the production of healthier food products.
“For agrarian reform beneficiaries, this is more than a new culinary discovery—it is also a potential source of income.
With endless dishes they can make and experiment with using breadfruit, farmers have the chance to grow breadfruit as a harvest crop and sell it as a valuable commodity,” the DAR said.
Ultimately, the benefits of breadfruit culminate in its potential for sustainability. It is a game-changer not just for our diets and sources of income but also for our agricultural landscapes.
As a tropical country, often vulnerable to the effects of climate change, the versatility and cost-effectiveness of growing breadfruit as a crop can enhance climate resilience and sustainability in the agricultural sector.
