BOI approves malunggay project

pursuit of the government’s thrust to support innovative, rural and agroindustrial development, the Board of Investments (BOI) approved the application for registration of Mauswag Agribusiness, Inc. as a new export producer of Powdered Moringa (commonly known as Malunggay).

The P36.4 million project qualifies for incentives under the Investment Priorities Plan (IPP) which covers production or manufacture of non-traditional export products with an export requirement of at least 50 percent (%), if Filipino-owned, and at least 70%, if foreignowned.

Commercial operation in the firm’s facility in Curry, Pili, Camarines Sur have already started in April 2017 with 56 personnel in its initial year. The firm, which has a registered annual production capacity of 49,500 kilograms, expects its personnel to expand to 98 workers by the fifth year of operation.

The integrated facility involves the planting of Moringa Oleifera and processing it into power form. The Moringa powder will then be sold to domestic markets such as pharmaceutical companies, natural health products manufacturers, bakeries, and supermarkets as well as to be exported to countries such as Japan, South Korea, United States and Europe.

“Malunggay and its related products have great potential to be in demand locally and abroad considering it has attracted the attention of doctors and scientists around the globe due to its high nutritional traits. It is also one of the driving forces in the growing herbal market,” said Ceferino Rodolfo, Trade Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head .

The firm claims they are the first company to produce Moringa powder on a commercial level that can supply both demands from the local and international markets. Addtionally, they will be using a Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) technology that can process 1,500 kilograms of raw leaves every 48 hours.