Several farmers have partnered with local biotech firm Secura International Inc. to put up their own malunggay nurseries for the commercial plantation of the crop.

Alicia Ilaga, director of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) biotechnology program, said the private nurseries would complement the existing malunggay nurseries put up by agencies under the DA.

“We are now sowing the seeds of the malunggay industry. We will be ready for commercial plantation next year,” said Ilaga.

Several farmers’ cooperatives have also decided to venture into malunggay farming, such as the Malunggay Farmers Development Corp. in Bamban, Tarlac. Members of the cooperative had initially planted 15 hectares of malunggay.

The group is now identifying 2,000 hectares of farm land where they can start commercial plantation.

Meanwhile, the Pampanga Agricultural College has devoted two hectares of its forest reserves for malunggay. The school will expand its malunggay farm to 10 hectares in the next few months.

Ilaga noted that several local chief executives have already started their own malunggay plantations.

Mayor Ding Villena of Padre Burgos, Quezon, has turned a 2-hectare idle land into a profitable malunggay plantation.

Former mayor Abang Mabulo of San Fernando, Camarines, has also devoted 5 hectares of his land for malunggay.

Secura has earlier declared it is keen on forging supply contracts with farmers who are into planting malunggay. The company exports moringa oil to various companies that manufacture personal health-care products. It also supplies powdered malunggay leaves to local food processors.