BY MARCHEL P. ESPINA
Researchers of the Department of Agriculture in Western Visayas were recognized for their research on batuan, a homegrown fruit that is popular for its sour taste.
The researchers, led by Elizabeth Amit, worked on “Production and Technology Promotion of Batuan in Region 6”, and were among this year’s regional winners in the Search for Outstanding Government Workers, Civil Service Commission Pagasa Award-Group category.
The CSC Pagasa Award is conferred on an individual or group for outstanding contributions resulting from an idea or performance that directly benefit more than one department of the government.
Remelyn Recoter, DA Region 6 director, said their study is a product development of the food ingredient, famous among Ilonggos as a sour ingredient in sinigang, cansi, or pinamalhan. She added that it is said to have health benefits and rich in Vitamin C.
The study on batuan was funded by the Bureau of Agricultural Research on product development, she said.
Amit and her team explored other uses of batuan, not only as a sour ingredient, she said, adding they were able to develop butuan as a sinigang mix, jam and jelly, puree, and others.
“The value-adding technology is in its commercialization phase. There are already adopters and are using the batuan as an ingredient for tart, piaya, and other pastries,” she said.*
