The Provincial Agriculture Office is aggressively promoting the health benefits of the "lowly malunggay," Charito Catarata, PAO Research Division chief, said yesterday.

She said that Gov. Emilio Macias II has committed to promote the production of malunggay in Negros Oriental.

Called "kalamunggay" by Negrense farmers, malunggay has seven times the Vitamin C content of oranges, three times the potassium of bananas, and four times the Vitamin A content of carrots and calcium in milk.

Catarata said that malunggay production started in Valencia town with the help of Biotechnology. It has become a significant factor in increasing the farmers' income, she revealed. Dauin, Zamboanguita, and Bacong are among the best places in Negros Oriental ideal to propagate malunggay production due to their sandy soil, Catarata said.

Doctors are reportedly using malunggay to treat diabetes in West Africa and high blood pressure in India.

A report also listed malunggay as treatment for skin infection and as an alternative source for efficient fuel, fertilizer and livestock feed.*RG

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