In this time of pandemic, root and tuber crops such as cassava and sweet potato have a particularly important contribution to income and food security in countries like the Philippines. However, there is a common perception that root crops are low source of nutrients as food and it is not as appetizing.

MoCA Family Farm RLearning Center – Extension Service Provider of ATI CAlabarzon located in Padre Garcia Batangas realized the goal to expand the utilization of root crops by developing new value-added products through process called product development by creating recipes and explore various ways to add value to underutilized roots and tuber crops. The output information and knowledge generated from the project will then be developed into Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials.

On April 29, 2021, joining the celebration of the Filipino Food Month was the official turn-over of the project out-put; a cookbook entitled “Pagkain mula sa mga Halamang-Ugat” with 15 interesting recipes from root and tuber crops.

During the virtual launching, ATI Calabarzon Center Director Marites Piamonte-Cosico said, “On behalf of ATI Calabarzon, amin pong malugod na tinatanggap at ipinagmamalaki ang labinlimang (15) resipe ng pagkaing nagmumula sa mga Halamang Ugat, kalakip ang IEC materials na napapaloob ang buong detalye ng bawat hakbang ng pagsasagawa ng masasarap at masustansyang mga resipeng ito. Makakaasa kayo na patuloy na magiging katuwang ninyo kami upang ito ay maging available sa lahat ng nais na matuto.”

The “Pagkain mula sa mga Halamang-Ugat” cookbook is available for download through this link: https://ati.da.gov.ph/ati-4a/node/687

Content: Ric Jason Arreza