KALINGA, August 15, 2022 – The FY 2021 Sugarcane Wine and Muscovado Enterprise Project of the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program inspired 20 indigenous farmers from the Ylimos tribe to strengthen their tradition of inti and basi production.
The beneficiaries were among the 46 total members of the Ba-ay Indigenous People Farmers Association (BIPFA). Formed in September 2020, Barangay Ba-ay is an identified End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) area.
Years ago, locals from the remote area of Ba-ay produced their own sweetener called inti or sugarcane molasses and basi or sugarcane wine/vinegar. However, when the elders passed away, the number of sugarcane growers also decreased, as explained by Mr. Inosensyo Dail, BIPFA chairperson. The community is isolated, located in the forest and mountainous area, and the marketplace is inaccessible.
Their inti product is used as sweeteners of rice cakes and coffee – the major delicacy and beverage of Ykalingas. Meanwhile, basi is local wine and a staple part of occasions like bodongs or peace pacts, weddings and wakes.
With the SAAD Program, the group was provided with 1,000 pieces of sugarcane cuttings on July 14, 2022 for the project with a total cost of Php 535,700.00 to increase sugarcane production areas from 500 to 1,000 square meters, after five of the seven sitios engaged in sugarcane cultivation. In addition to the planting materials, postharvest and enterprise materials will also be provided before the fourth quarter.
Table 1. Sugarcane wine and muscovado enterprise interventions provided to BIPFAEfren Tawway, Barangay Councilor of Ba-ay, Pinukpuk, suggested that modernization may be a means to inspire the youth to address their decreasing involvement in agricultural activities. The mechanized sugarcane presser (MSP) might just spark the youth’s interest in this tradition.
“Iti daytuy nga sugarcane production project iti SAAD, namnamaen mi nga gumaget dagiti taga Ba-ay nga agmula manen iti unas ken maaddaan ti barangay ti supply nga asukar ken basi,” said Mr. Inosensyo Dail.
(With this sugarcane production project from SAAD, we are hoping that the Ba-ay populace would go back to planting sugarcane and for the barangay to have its own supply of sugar and wine).
Based on the SAAD Kalinga’s monitoring of intervention and validation of sites on July 26, the cuttings were now in the germination period when some sprouts and roots were already seen. The production sites are also currently undergoing land clearing or removal of existing vegetation relative to their land preparation. The sugarcane planting materials are set to be planted in August.
Sugar is a staple need in most households and with the increasing price of the product, the Ylimos people were more than interested in pursuing the project. The price of brown sugar is now Php 70 from its Php 38 price two months ago, according to the price monitoring of the province.
SAAD is committed to continuously support the production of basi and sugar, ushering the FA to prosper with both production and enterprise aspects and soon supply the municipality of Pinukpuk with locally produced wine, vinegar, and sugar. The training on processing, packaging, labeling and marketing of sugarcane products, and Good Management Practices (GMP) on sugarcane production are set to be conducted within the third quarter of 2022. ###
Writer: Sheena Phine P. Dayagon, DA-SAAD Kalinga Information Officer
