DA Cotabato embarks on ‘adlay’ production as ‘alternative food crop’

KIDAPAWAN CITY -- The office of the provincial agriculturist (OPA) in North Cotabato has embarked on doing further studies of an old cereal variety, which could replace rice as staple Filipino food.The variety is called, adlay, which the OPA considers as a healthy cereal, and best alternative to rice. In fact, Nimfa Saniel, focal person on Adlay at the OPA, said they started to distribute several varieties of adlay to at least 14 farmer-cooperatives in five towns in North Cotabato, including Magpet, Matalam, Libungan, Makilala, and Kidapawan City.Saniel stressed, adlayis an alternative food crop, having so much nutrients, like carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals.It also contains low glycemic index or sugar, she said.Saniel explained adlay belongs to the family of rice, corn, and wheat.When matured and harvested, adlay grains are pounded, threshed, and winnowed, cooked and served steamed just like rice, the OPA said.Also, adlay can be a base material or ingredient for wine, vinegar, cookies, cereals, flour, and Filipino kakanin products like polvoron, maja blanca, andchamporado.It can also be used as animal feed, Saniel said.Data from OPA said the adlay varieties that were distributed to farmer-beneficiaries included katigbi, tapul, gulian, ginampay and kiboa. Acting OPA head Remedios Hernandez said the research and development studies they’re currently doing on adlay is part of their Cereal Crop Development Program being funded by the Cotabato provincial government.