12/23/2017 Bicol's Pili Nut Soars as Profitable Commodity through R&D

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January-March 2017 Issue (Vol. 19 No. 1)

Search Bicol's Pili Nut Soars as Profitable Commodity through R&D

Go Bicol's Pili Nut Soars as Profitable Commodity through R&D

Mabelle Roa-Ilan | DA-RFO 5
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There is a reason for the Bicolanos to be excited as opportunities arise for one of their champion
Who's Online commodities, pili (Canarium ovatum Engl.). Email
We have 27 guests and no Pili tree is dubbed as the “tree of hope” due to its many uses and almost all its parts can be used for various
members online purposes, food, medicine, and industrial.

Bicol has the largest producer of pili in the country with an estimated share of 85 percent of the domestic production or
6,258 tons, of which the bulk is produced by its four provinces – Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines Sur and Catanduanes.

Being an indigenous crop of the Bicol region, pili gained fame as a popular snacks and pasalubong for the locals especially
foreign tourists visiting the region. Seeing that there is a demand not only in the domestic market but also in the
international arena, the Department of Agriculture- Regional Field Office 5 (DA-RFO 5) poured its investments in
research and development (R&D) for the improvement of pili’s production, postharvest, processing and other value-
adding activities.

Pili R&D Milestones

In 1991, pili was hailed as one of the banner commodities of the region. Various development programs
were initiated to focus on the commercialization and modernization of pili production, postharvest
activities and marketing initiatives. Efforts had been done to come up with a long-term plan, and to
establish a dedicated pili RDE program. These actions are necessary to ensure that the country will
retain its position as the main supplier of pili in the world market.
According to DA-RFO 5 Research Division Chief Luz Marcelino, the agenda and program for pili R&D
activities in the next 20 years will zero in on: 1) massive propagation of the eight pili varieties with good
horticultural traits, namely: the Magnaye, Orolfo, Laysa, Magayon, Lanuza, Mayon1, Mayon2, and
Orbase; 2) establishment of scion groves to meet the inadequate supply of quality planting materials; 3)
establishment of nurseries; 4) culture and integrated pest management to address low yield and poor
quality of fruits; 5) development of new postharvest techniques; 6) continuous collection and
identification of promising varieties and cultivars; 7) accreditation of nurseries to ensure supply of
quality National Seed Industry Council (NSIC) registered pili seedlings; and 8) technologies and varietal
improvement and conservation.
As support to these agenda, the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) funded several research studies
on pili in the region. One of which is the study on the asexual method of propagation (e.g., grafting).
Varietal and intervarietal grafting was tested to determine the most feasible with economical and high
percentage of successful graft. The Laysa and Lanuza varieties posted the highest survival rate at 85
percent. In terms of number of days to graft-take, M. Orolfo variety takes almost a month to graft-take
while Laysa, Lanuza, and Magayon varieties take only 15 days.
Another study implemented was determining the “Grafting Ability of Pili through the use of IBA,
Coconut Water and their Combinations and Influence of Dipping Time.” It was found that the
percentage of success in pili grafting was observed with increasing coconut water concentration and
increasing dipping time. The study obtained 95 percent success using 1,000 ppm concentration of
coconut water with recorded dipping time of 25 minutes. First leaf appearance was observed at the 19th
day after grafting.
Fertilizer studies on pili were also conducted to ensure healthy trees and more resistant to certain insect
pest and disease. The study used the bearing and the non-bearing pili trees, which were provided with
different fertilizer combinations of inorganic and organic fertilizers. Results showed that the pili trees
exhibited uniform vegetative growth. It was observed that it is best to apply nitrogenous fertilizer during
the vegetative stages of pili trees to ensure sturdy branches while for bearing pili trees it is important to
apply NPK or complete fertilizer plus chicken manure to produce more fruits of good quality. Another
study was conducted testing the effectiveness of Prathista Bio-Organic fertilizer in grafted pili seedlings.

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12/23/2017 Bicol's Pili Nut Soars as Profitable Commodity through R&D
Gene bank was also established and maintained by DA-RFO 5 for the pili germplasm collection. Another
study was initiated to identify, collect, and evaluate pili cultivars, by which promising strains were
submitted to NSIC for approval as variety. After its approval, these varieties were propagated through
asexual propagation and later sold or distributed to interested clients. At present, there are eight pili
varieties approved by NSIC, and 74 promising strains being maintained in the region. Most of these are
planted at the Albay Experiment Station clona orchard/scion grove.

Farm technology demonstrations on pili were spearheaded by DA-RFO 5 to showcase appropriate

package of technologies in culture and management of pili. It was advised to practice diversification and
integration of crops to increase productivity and profitability of a farm in a pili-based farming system.
One case was the Piliyamanan model farms of the DA-Central Bicol Experiment Station (CBES) and
Catanduanes Hilly Upland Development Station (CHUDS) as well as in Iriga City, Buhi, and Goa,
Camarines Sur. The Piliyamanan field school was established through the conversion of the farmers’
rest area or dapayan into learning centers. Field day, cross visit, and training on pili-based enterprises
were also conducted. Intercrops planted included adlay, mungbean, corn, pole sitao, tomato, upo,
squash, and papaya.
On product development, BAR recently funded the product and by-product development and
commercialization of pili, which showcased food and non-food products of pili. A Pili Shell Craft
Showroom at Tamaoyan, Legazpi City was established and served as the commercial processing area for
pili shell. The products developed are now on display at Ayala Mall in Legazpi City.
Over 40 pili nut recipes were also developed and were now being used by rural women and interested
stakeholders in the region. These products underwent several tests prior to package and labeling
development. Ten rural women groups and processors are now using these recipes for their own
business ventures. These processors are marketing their products in pasalubong centers and other
commercial establishments in the region.

As part of information campaign on pili, the Regional Technology Commercialization Center is currently
disseminating the results of the analysis on pili kernel, pili pulp and pili oil conducted by the DOST-Food
and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) Service Laboratory. The information generated was
incorporated on the product labels to educate the consumers on the nutritional content of pili.
One important characteristic of the pili tree is its resiliency to climate change. Pili is known to be sturdy
and could withstand strong winds, floods, and can easily recover from typhoons. It is easy to grow and
resistant to pest and diseases. Once it is established or planted in the field it requires minimum
maintenance. It also consumes less water. The pili kernel, on the other hand, can be stored for over a
year at room temperature after removing the pulp and dried.
Money-making opportunities for Pili
According to Regional Executive Director (RED) Elena de los Santos, DA is continuously providing
interventions to develop and promote pili industry. Improved postharvest and processing techniques
and market promotion, in partnership with other stakeholders through participation at local and
international agricultural fairs and exhibits, are some of the activities undertaken to boost the industry.
Due to renewed interest on pili products, market expanded
According to Regional Executive Director (RED) Elena de los Santos, DA is continuously providing
interventions to develop and promote pili industry. Improved postharvest and processing techniques
and market promotion, in partnership with other stakeholders through participation at local and
international agricultural fairs and exhibits, are some of the activities undertaken to boost the industry.
Due to renewed interest on pili products, market expanded for pili candies (roasted, glazed, and salted).
These products are accommodated by big commercial establishments including SM, Robinson, Market
Market, Rustans, Duty Free Shops, hotels, and other pasalubong centers.
Another initiative being done by DA, with partner agencies, is the mechanization of nut cracking in
response to the increasing demand. At present, due to non-uniformity of pili nuts, nut cracking is still
being done manually. Other efforts on the mechanization of post-production processing of pili is
collaboratively being undertaken by various institutions such as DOST and state university and colleges
(SUCs) for the production of prototype harvesting device, de-pulper and de-sheller. Storage studies and
improvement of raw kernel and products, oil extraction and utilization technologies were also
developed.
Given that pili is comparable to that of almonds and walnuts, its potential to shine in the global market
is huge. Pili is now being introduced in the new product line of chocolate products. Based on the Value
Chain Analysis for pili conducted by the DA-Agribusiness Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS), the
country’s export of pili nuts registered a positive growth in terms of volume and value. For 2012 alone,
exports were valued at US$ 65,962 of which Canada absorbing the bulk, together with USA, Bahrain,
Japan, Norway, and Germany. Also, pili processors are now exploring China and Europe as potential
markets.

RED de los Santos believed that cooperation and collaboration among industry players will encourage
pili growers and processors to produce quality nuts fetching premium price. At present, pili is being
marketed as fresh whole fruit, dried nuts, or shelled kernels. Prices are low during the harvest season
(May-September) but command a high price during the rest of the year with peak during April and
December. The current price of shelled kernels ranges from Php 300-500 per kilogram.

For 2017, the High Value Commercial Crops Program (HVCDP) allocated funds to all DA-RFO 5
Research Outreach Stations to produce a total of 430,000 sexual and asexually propagated pili seedlings
for distribution in the region. This is part of DA’s program to expand the areas for pili production in
response to increasing demand for this commodity.

Through R&D, pili solidifies its position as a profitable commodity that Bicolanos can truly benefit from.
###
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For more information about the project, please contact Ms. Mabelle R. Ilan, Senior Science Research Specialist, Pili, Camarines Sur. Mobile No: 0908-
820-7516; Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">mrilan89@yahoo.com

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12/23/2017 Bicol's Pili Nut Soars as Profitable Commodity through R&D
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