Rootcrops, which are among the cheapest sources of dietary energy, provide a myriad of health benefits, as these are sources of vitamin C, beta-carotene, and potassium. This dietary energy is about one-third of that of an equivalent weight of grain, such as rice or wheat. Cassava, sweetpotato, and taro can be enjoyed in different ways as well, including baking, steaming, frying, or simply boiling.
However, in our country, rootcrops are generally regarded as a poor man’s crop or peasants’ fodder. This perception is slowly trying to be changed through different ways of processing these into products that can be enjoyed locally as well as internationally. Sweetpotato wine, Tarroz wine, cassava chippy, and cassava cookies are some examples of innovative products that can be derived from rootcrops.
Processed rootcrop products, along with the technologies used in production, are showcased during the Rootcrops Farms and Industry Encounter through the Science and Technology Agenda (FIESTA) organized by the Philippine Root Crop Research and Training Center (Philrootcrops) of the Visayas State University (VSU) and the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD).
The Rootcrops FIESTA is a two-day event that combines a technology forum for farmers and festivities for students and the residents of Baybay City, Leyte. FIESTA, a DOST-PCAARRD technology transfer modality, is an acronym for Farming and Industry Encounter through the Science and Technology Agenda. It is organized to bridge farmers and the micro, small, and medium-scale industries through a science and technology-based platform.
The first day of the FIESTA started with a colorful dance festival joined by three campuses of VSU: VSU Alang-Alang, VSU Tolosa Campus, and VSU Main College of Education. VSU President Jose L. Bacusmo welcomed everyone to the FIESTA, while DOST-PCAARRD’s Applied Communication Division (ACD) officer-in-charge Marita A. Carlos gave an overview about FIESTA.
Through a dance, the three campuses presented how their towns have surpassed challenges that have affected their livelihood, particularly farming. VSU Alang-Alang, VSU Tolosa Campus, and VSU Main College of Education presented how each of their towns survived floods and pests that have hindered them to have a bountiful harvest.
In the afternoon, a Rootcrops Technology Forum, themed “Rootcrops Innovation for Health and Inclusive Growth,” was held for farmers at the VSU Convention Center. The forum was split into two sessions. The Innovation and Information session featured the science behind rootcrops as well as technologies in production and processing, while Lessons from the Field session featured success stories from Antipolo, Rizal, Cebu, and Dapitan City.
In the first session, Dr. Trinidad P. Trinidad, Nutrition Scientist and Faculty of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) discussed the nutrient benefits and updates on health-related studies on rootcrops, while Dr. Algerico M. Mariscal, Professor and Plant Breeder of PhilRootcrops, VSU, presented how to improve productivity and efficiency of supply chains through rootcrops production technologies. Lastly, Dr. Daniel Leslie S. Tan, Professor and Head of the Engineering Division of PhilRootcrops, VSU, gave a talk on the updates on rootcrops processing.
The Lessons from the Field session featured Susan Q. Empeynado, Senior Agriculturist of Dapitan City local government unit (LGU); Arnold Labunog, Proprietor of Jojie’s Bakeshop in Tagbilaran, Bohol, and Dr. Marlene B. Agabon, Freelance Consultant and Owner-Manager of Nutri-pros in Antipolo, Rizal. Both sessions were followed by an open forum. The second day of the Rootcrop FIESTA featured a poster making contest themed “Reinvigorating Agriculture for Inclusive Economic Growth and Development.” The poster making contest had two divisions: high school and elementary divisions.
Meanwhile, a cooking contest, open to all schools in Leyte, displayed the abilities of students from VSU, STI College, and Southern Leyte State University (SLSU). The students creatively used rootcrops in cooking the main dish, side dish, and dessert.
STI College students emerged as the winner, with their succulent creations of sweetpotato beef and shrimp with lemon juice as main dish; sweetpotato chips with mango salsa as side dish, and sweetpotato cheesecake for dessert.
VSU and another group from STI garnered the second and third places, respectively.
The Rootcrop FIESTA coincided with the celebration of VSU’s 91st founding anniversary celebration, which started on July 31 and culminated on August 11.