Developing Tugui As A Promising Rootcrop
Most of Marinduque’s agricultural area were utilized for rice and corn production to meet the need of its growing population. This, however, is not the only solution, for the shortage of rice and corn. The people there could grow rootcrops like tugui (Dioscorea esculenta) as an alternative staple and, more importantly, as another source income.
This is the essence of the research findings of three students of Marinduque State College. Grace Lacdao, Michelle Mendiola and Ria Aiza Jalimbawa studied the potential of tugui as a raw material for cracker chips and pastillas production.
Who would think that this rootcrop, which belongs to the yam family, has hairy kidney-liked leaves, and rich in carbohydrates and vitamins, could be utilized for such’? Well, nothing is impossible for those who are resourceful and creative like these three students.