With the ratification of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), many farmers believed that it will open up new markets for the agribusiness sector, specifically for saluyot or jute producers. This belief was firmed up after a study was released by the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) researchers showing that an enterprising farmer can easily earn a fortune from the once "lowly saluyot."
Scientifically named Cochorus olitorius, the Department of Agriculture (DA) reported that it is popularly known as saluyot (Ilokos), tugabang (Bisaya), bush okra (English), jute mallow or Jew’s mallow, jute, and nalta. Named molokheya in Egypt where it known to have originated, it is widely cultivated in the Sub-Sahara wet regions and North Africa’s drier areas.
Saluyot responds especially to warm, humid weather and is often grown near riverbanks and waste places. Cold weather and severe periods of drought can kill the crop. A loam or silty-loam soil and plenty of organic matter is ideal. It tolerates soil pH of 4.5 to 8.0, but more extreme pH conditions will reduce the availability of iron in the soil.
UPLB researchers Dr. Rodel Maghirang, Ma. Luisa Guevara, and Gloria Rodulfo compute computed that in one regular season or up to seven months, a saluyot grower can earn a net income of around PhP 411,349.00 per hectare. The cost and return analysis assumed that a one-hectare saluyot farm needs an initial investment of PhP 228,651.00 to cover labor cost, materials needed, and fixed costs.
The UPLB paper also revealed that in a season, the farmer can harvest an average of 80,000 bundles of saluyot per hectare. At a cost of PhP 8 per bundle, that translates to a gross income of PhP 640,000.00.
With high potential to earn income for farmers and to promote production of this green leafy vegetable, the Los Baños-based Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCARRD) and DOST Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SET-UP) has published a “Saluyot Production Guide.”
Data from the Guide shows that in 2006, the 692 ha of land planted with saluyot throughout the Philippines produced a total of 1,949 tons. Top producers are Ilocos (particularly Pangasinan) (213 ha) and Western Visayas (154 ha). The Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAS), however, that "market gardens around Metro Manila are increasing and are more productive."
The UPLB researchers said that saluyot can be harvested 30 days after transplanting by cutting the crop at 20-25 centimeters from the ground. The plants are harvested at one to two weeks interval for up to seven months.
The most common outlets of saluyot harvest are local markets. However, as a result of increasing commercial uses of the crop, more markets are opening up.
About 15 years ago, saluyot became a “food fad” in Japan after Japanese health buffs found that it was a low-calorie food and rich in Vitamin A and minerals such as iron, calcium, and protein. They used dried saluyot powder as an ingredient in meals and soups.
DOST’s Dr. Lydia Marero once reported: “Saluyot leaves are rich in beta carotene for good eyesight, iron for healthy red blood cells, calcium fro strong bones and teeth, and vitamin C for smooth, clean skin, strong immune cells, and fast wound-healing.”
Actually, powdered dry saluyot had been produced mainly to cater to expatriate Filipinos, particularly Ilocanos, in the United States and Middle East. But it later found a large market in Japan.
Among those who ventured into this income-generating activity a decade ago was the Central Luzon State University (CLSU), which produced powdered saluyot and exported it to Japan.
Scientifically named Cochorus olitorius, the Department of Agriculture (DA) reported that it is popularly known as saluyot (Ilokos), tugabang (Bisaya), bush okra (English), jute mallow or Jew’s mallow, jute, and nalta. Named molokheya in Egypt where it known to have originated, it is widely cultivated in the Sub-Sahara wet regions and North Africa’s drier areas.
Saluyot responds especially to warm, humid weather and is often grown near riverbanks and waste places. Cold weather and severe periods of drought can kill the crop. A loam or silty-loam soil and plenty of organic matter is ideal. It tolerates soil pH of 4.5 to 8.0, but more extreme pH conditions will reduce the availability of iron in the soil.
UPLB researchers Dr. Rodel Maghirang, Ma. Luisa Guevara, and Gloria Rodulfo compute computed that in one regular season or up to seven months, a saluyot grower can earn a net income of around PhP 411,349.00 per hectare. The cost and return analysis assumed that a one-hectare saluyot farm needs an initial investment of PhP 228,651.00 to cover labor cost, materials needed, and fixed costs.
The UPLB paper also revealed that in a season, the farmer can harvest an average of 80,000 bundles of saluyot per hectare. At a cost of PhP 8 per bundle, that translates to a gross income of PhP 640,000.00.
With high potential to earn income for farmers and to promote production of this green leafy vegetable, the Los Baños-based Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCARRD) and DOST Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SET-UP) has published a “Saluyot Production Guide.”
Data from the Guide shows that in 2006, the 692 ha of land planted with saluyot throughout the Philippines produced a total of 1,949 tons. Top producers are Ilocos (particularly Pangasinan) (213 ha) and Western Visayas (154 ha). The Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAS), however, that "market gardens around Metro Manila are increasing and are more productive."
The UPLB researchers said that saluyot can be harvested 30 days after transplanting by cutting the crop at 20-25 centimeters from the ground. The plants are harvested at one to two weeks interval for up to seven months.
The most common outlets of saluyot harvest are local markets. However, as a result of increasing commercial uses of the crop, more markets are opening up.
About 15 years ago, saluyot became a “food fad” in Japan after Japanese health buffs found that it was a low-calorie food and rich in Vitamin A and minerals such as iron, calcium, and protein. They used dried saluyot powder as an ingredient in meals and soups.
DOST’s Dr. Lydia Marero once reported: “Saluyot leaves are rich in beta carotene for good eyesight, iron for healthy red blood cells, calcium fro strong bones and teeth, and vitamin C for smooth, clean skin, strong immune cells, and fast wound-healing.”
Actually, powdered dry saluyot had been produced mainly to cater to expatriate Filipinos, particularly Ilocanos, in the United States and Middle East. But it later found a large market in Japan.
Among those who ventured into this income-generating activity a decade ago was the Central Luzon State University (CLSU), which produced powdered saluyot and exported it to Japan.
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Very nice. I am in Montreal Canada and i have been trying to find online saluyot seeds. Can you suggest a site selling saluyot seeds ? Thanks.
My email is j.leb@hotmail.com
j leb
I will try to contact you about it, jp.
Hello there,
Where do I get the seeds please? I am already excited about planting my own, even just on pots.
Thanks for sharing the information.
@jp:
I can't seem to find a site on the web selling saluyot seeds. What you can do is maybe try to contact the local cooperative or farm here in the Philippines to send you some. However, you may have to contend with the quarantine laws in Canada when you do this.
@Lotus Flower:
Where are you staying right now? In the Philippines, there are several stores in the marketplace selling saluyot seeds and if you want to get it in commercial quantities, you may want to try and contact the Saluyot Growers Association (SAGA) in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.
Saluyot's potential is huge.
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Hello. I have been looking for saluyot seeds now too. Any chances you now have the contact where to buy them?