Nestle PH invests in 12-B protomalt processing plant

Nestlé Philippines has sought for a partnership with the government for the supply of cassava flour that it will use as a raw material for the 12-billion protomalt processing plant it is currently building in the country.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said that Nestlé Philippines Chief Executive Officer Jacques Reber recently went to the Department of Agriculture (DA) to inform the agency of its protomalt processing that will soon start operation in Lipa, Batangas.

According to Piñol, Nestlé Philippines is looking for sources of about 70,000 metric tons (MT) of cassava every year for the processing of protomalt, which the company uses in producing Milo Energy Drink.

"The woes of the country's cassava farmers who have been beset with problems of market and very low prices may soon be over," Piñol said on Tuesday.

As quoted by Piñol, Reber said the protomalt plant will be completed early next year and has a capacity of 35,000 MT of cassava- based malt.

The Philippines is currently the second biggest market of Milo Energy Drink, next to Malaysia.

"This development has offered a new hope for the Cassava farmers who have long been suffering from the problem of how to process and sell their produce," Piñol said.

As a preparation, the DA chief said he had directed the directors of the agency to organize cassava farmers so they could be assisted with drying facilities.

Part of the program is the establishment of cassava flour plants in regions where cassava is being grown.