More schools request seedlings of yardlong marunggay

By Reynaldo E. Andres

Contributor 

           

Batac CITY—More elementary schools in Ilocos Norte are requesting the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) for seedlings of the yardlong marunggay after a feature story on this imported species came out of the Bannawag and in The Ilocos Times in its August 26 – September 2 issue.

Aside from the requests of the Department of Education (DepEd) in Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur, some individual home gardeners have also expressed desire to own at least five seedlings of this rare species for home consumption.

But MMSU researcher Mario Remolacio, in-charge of the propagation of yardlong marunggay, said that the university is yet to grant the requests of the other schools because of limited supply, since the university is still waiting for the other batches of seeds to germinate and grow to at least two feet tall before these can be dispersed to interested growers. So far, only elementary schools in Banna, Badoc and Pinili were provided with 20 seedlings each.

The yardlong marunggay was brought into the country in December 2005 by Beatriz Dar, wife of Dr. William D. Dar, executive director of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in Andra-Pradesh, India.

Ms. Dar collected the seeds from an old village in ICRISAT, Patancheru, Andra Pradesh and these which were planted in Batac, Ilocos Norte on December 28, 2005. Another 20 seeds were given by Dar in January 2006, 10 of these were planted in Batac, Ilocos Norte and the other 10 in Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur, the home town of Dr. Dar.

On August 6, MMSU and DepEd Ilocos Sur have signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to undertake the technology adaptation and promotion of the yardlong variety of moringa (marunggay) in Region 1.

Dr. Heraldo L. Layaoen was the project in-charge in the promotion of yardlong marunggay until his retirement last month. As planned, any request from Ilocos Sur shall be channeled to DepEd Ilocos Sur through Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Marino S. Baytec, who had agreed to produce seeds of this variety which will be given free to select elementary and secondary schools in Region 1. They also agreed to assist small-scale farmers, primary and secondary school teachers and other enthusiasts in the production of marunggay seeds and seedlings.

Recipients of yardlong marunggay seedlings are encouraged to cut down their existing native species once the trees start to flower so that the native species will not pollinate the yardlong marunggay, thus, ensuring the production of pure seeds.

Part of the tie-up between MMSU and DepEd was the establishment of seed production areas and nurseries in both provinces which will serve as models to those who may want to put up their own marunggay plantation. The two parties have agreed further to require every student of selected primary and secondary schools in Ilocos Sur to plant and take care of at least three marunggay trees in their home yards and to promote the slogan “Nutritious Plant for Everyone: Live Longer and Healthy on Moringa.”

Leaves of the yardlong marunggay are also more palatable than the local species.  Its pods are fleshier and tests showed that it is three times leafier and bear fruit all year round, while the local variety bears fruit only during the dry months. Thus, these attributes make the yardlong marunggay a better vegetable than the local variety. Seedlings of yardlong marunggay start to flower at six months after transplanting, which is preferably done at the onset of the rainy season.