In the upland areas of Mindoro, the Mangyan communities grow various root crops, with ginger being one of their main products. However, the market often undervalues their harvest, causing prices to drop significantly or the crops to go to waste. To address this issue, the Mindoro State University (MinSU), through the STC4iD Project, conducted a training on ginger processing, specifically focusing on the production of salabat (ginger tea) for the Mangyan community in Sitio Liguma, Barangay Lisap, Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro, November 14, 2024. The training aimed to empower the Mangyan by teaching them how to process ginger into a value-added product, increasing their income and improving their lives.
This training is part of MinSU’s broader initiative to strengthen the livelihoods of indigenous communities in Mindoro by helping them process local agricultural products like ginger into more marketable and profitable goods.
Mr. Edmond Antolin, Extension staff who served as a resource speaker, and with the support of other MinSU staff, 30 Mangyan participants were equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to process locally-grown ginger into salabat - a popular herbal drink known for its soothing and medicinal properties.
“This training helps the Mangyan earn extra income by turning their local ginger into a value-added product for a larger market. It also teaches them valuable skills, giving them the confidence to improve their lives and make their farming practices more sustainable and successful,” said Dr. Mary Jeane Lubos, Project Team Leader.
One of the participants, Dikaynan, expressed her gratitude for the training. “Noong una, binebenta lang namin ang aming luya sa mababang presyo o kaya naman ay nabubulok na lamang, pero ngayon natutunan namin kung paano ito gawing salabat. Makakatulong ito para makakuha kami ng mas mataas na kita at maipakilala ang aming produkto sa iba. Nagpapasalamat kami sa MinSU sa pagbibigay ng pagkakataong ito, at sana ay magpatuloy pa ang aming pagkatuto at pag-unlad,” Dikaynan said.
The salabat training is just one of the initiatives in MinSU’s ongoing commitment under the STC4iD Project, funded by PCAARRD, to uplift indigenous communities, helping them gain financial independence while preserving and promoting their rich cultural heritage.
(Field Correspondent: Jorge C. Gawad)
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