To address the continuous decrease of Arrowroot production in Marinduque, the Marinduque Provincial Agriculture Office (PagRO) partnered with the Bangwayin Peanut Sustainable Livelihood Program Association (SLPA) to help boost the cultivation of Arrowroot or locally known as “Uraro” which is utilized for both human and animal consumption.

Originally, Bangwayin Peanut SLPA from Torrijos, Marinduque, produces peanut products but eventually looked for other income generating crops to improve their revenue. The SLPA was assisted by Marinduque PagRO through the provision of additional capital wherein PagRO will be paying 50 centavos for every arrowroot planting materials.  On July 26, 2020, the association was paid PhP 6,000.00 for the 12,000 arrowroots planted. The association will plant an additional 10,000 arrowroots this coming month for their expansion.

The 22-member SLPA will be linked to Rejano’s Bakery, popular arrowroot cookies bakeshop in Marinduque.

In addition, Mr. Marvin Recalde of PagRO said that the association will also be lined-up for hands-on trainings and seminars for additional knowledge and skills regarding arrowroot production, processing and marketing.

Bangwayin Peanut SLPA was funded by the DSWD-Sustainable Livelihood Program last June 2020 with a total Seed Capital Fund (SCF) of PhP 220,000.00.

SLP is a capability-building program for poor, vulnerable and marginalized households and communities to improve their socio-economic conditions through accessing and acquiring necessary assets to engage in and maintain thriving livelihoods.

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REPORTS FROM MR. ARJAY A. HISTORILLO, PDO II, TORRIJOS