Stakeholders in Northern Luzon are working to revitalize a true native which never really gotten a time to shine amid growing market demand — the Ilocos red peanut.

This variety, which is among the improved legumes grown by farmers mostly in Ilocos and Cagayan regions, finally got a boost in the two-day “Peanut FIESTA (Farms and Industry Encounters through the Science and Technology Agency) held at the Carig Campus of the Cagayan State University (CSU) in Tuguegarao City on Jan. 24 to 25.

In an interview on Thursday, Department of Agriculture (DA)-Ilocos Region senior science research specialist Melinda Calumpit said peanut is among the important food crops grown widely in Ilocos Region and Cagayan Valley, particularly in Enrile town, which is known as the peanut capital of the Philippines.

“Due to its versatile uses for food, animal fodder, solvents and oils, textile materials, cosmetics and medicine, there had been an increasing demand for it,” she said.

Apart from edible oil, peanuts are widely used for the production of peanut butter, confections, roasted peanuts, snack products, extenders in meat product formulation, soups, sauces and desserts.

Experts said peanut also helps prevent heart disease by lowering cholesterol levels, can also stop small blood clots from forming thus, reduce the risk of having a heart attack or stroke, and aids weight loss and decreases appetite.

With the rising demand for peanut, the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCARRD) spearheaded the two-day event to showcase research and technology breakthroughs to revitalize the peanut industry in the region.

Among the technologies featured in the event include production technologies to improve yield, technology on post-harvest, processing and marketing to boost the industry.

Financial and technical support are also available for farmers, investors and technology adopters should they wish to apply under the loan programs and services of the state-owned Land Bank of the Philippines, DA, Agricultural Training Institute, DOST and the Department of Trade and Industry, among others.

In Ilocos Norte, a peanut seed production site promoting at least 25 varieties was established in Dingras town through the DA Regional Field Office 1 to address the limited source of planting materials. (PNA)