THE CENTRAL Philippines State University (CPSU) has developed a revolutionary flour milling equipment to help alleviate the rising demand for flour in the province of Negros Occidental.
Following this development, the CPSU’s Flour Industry and Development Project is expected to augment the production of flour, and help ensure that the local industry can meet the increasing demand for the province’s domestic use, particularly at this time where the local economy is affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Every month, Negros Occidental consumes about 30 tons of imported flour as raw material for the production of different food items.
“With this project, the CPSU and the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist aim to produce 10 percent of the province’s flour requirement from different rootcrops that will be processed at the community level. This can serve as substitute for the imported commodity,” says CPSU President Dr. Aladino C. Moraca.
The CPSU’s flour milling equipment was unveiled during a simple ceremony that was held at its main campus in Barangay Camingawan, Kabankalan City.
Witnessing the significant event included Kabankalan City Mayor Pedro Zayco, Jr., Provincial Agriculturist Japhet Masculino, Camingawan barangay chairman Rico Regalia, local officials, farmers, and the RU Foundry and Machine Shop Corporation chairman of the board Ramon Uy Sr., the silent ally of CPSU in promoting agricultural development.
“The role of the flour industry, especially during this time of the COVID-19 crisis is vital following the increasing demand in the local market. Hence, the city strongly supports this project as a way of alleviating hunger during these most difficult times of the country,” Mayor Zayco said during the event.
In response, Moraca says the CPSU stands firm in its commitment of developing practical technologies and sharing the results to the marginalized members of the community.
This will eventually improve the life of the local farmers, as well as uplift the rural economy through environmentally-sound, economically-viable, practical and socially responsive technologies, and relevant agri-related farming practices.
In his speech, Moraca shared that the realization of this project was hatched during a meeting with Bobby Magalona of Gawad Kalinga regarding the rising demand for flour in the province.
This eventually evolved following the research and innovation efforts conducted by a team from the CPSU Victorias Campus led by its administrator Noel Fordente and faculty member Jundel Gonzaga.
This project is part of Moraca’s advocacy of contextualizing and institutionalizing the promotion of the flour industry in the province, and in the region.
The objective of the CPSU president is to make the farmers self-sufficient in order for them to provide the basic needs of their families.
The development of the milling equipment enabled the CPSU to produce green, golden, black and lavender flours, which were made from indigenous crops, such as banana, taro, cassava, camote, ube, biga or Alocasia macrorrhiza, and squash.
The project is expected to encourage other farmers to cultivate and supply the raw materials needed for the production of flour – a “win-win” solution for the local community, the province, and the CPSU./PN
