"Sakurab" in Lanao Del

VALUE CHAIN FAO © ANALYSIS “SAKURAB” IN LANAO DEL SUR

HIGHLIGHTS BACKGROUND This study examines the “sakurab” (white scallion) value chain for Selected Municipalities in Lanao del Sur and identifies needed interventions to improve the livelihood of internally displaced farmers affected by the Marawi conflict. This is part of the project entitled “Support for enhancing agri-based livelihoods of internally displaced farmers affected by the Marawi conflict” supported by the Australian Government through Community and Family Services International (CFSI). It aims to provide livelihood support through the provision of agricultural inputs and machineries as well as training for the sustainable economic recovery of the displaced, especially the most vulnerable and those with special needs. This includes strengthening the enabling environment and improving production and processing, and marketing platforms of selected agricultural value chains in Lanao del Sur. This study is in collaboration with Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan.

OBJECTIVE The study examined selected “sakurab” (white scallion) value chains in Lanao del Sur and Cagayan de Oro to identify needed interventions in improving the livelihood of internally displaced farmers affected by the Marawi conflict.

METHODOLOGY Focus group discussions with selected FAO farmer-beneficiaries, interviews with fresh market retailers and processors, and visits to support organizations were conducted in the cities of Piagapo and Marantao, Lanao del Sur.

THE SAKURAB INDUSTRY • Sakurab, a variant of the Allium species, is one of the major ingredients of palapa, a popular side dish in many Maranao dishes and is also used as a folk medicine (Morilla et al, 2014). It is widely grown for household consumption and as a source of livelihood, but production is not monitored by local government units (LGUs). • There is limited data on Sakurab production, processing and trading, so demand is hard to estimate. However, preliminary estimates indicate that FAO ©

around 12.25 MT of Sakurab are needed daily to meet palapa requirements. This is likely to increase by 30-50% during Ramadan (Moya, 2015).

OPPORTUNITIES Production of Sakurab is generally backyard-scale. While most farmers sell to local markets, they do not consider Sakurab to be a main source of livelihood. Therefore, monitoring of performance and attention to improving productivity is minimal. That being said, the value chain analysis (VCA) identified opportunities for Sakurab farmers: • Direct linkage to local palapa processors and institutional customers. If FAO ©

organized, farmers can directly supply fresh Sakurab to palapa and baked product enterprises and thus expand their markets. • Development of other value-added products from Sakurab. FAO-organized trainings on production of Sakurab kimchi and tarts have introduced farmer- beneficiaries to new product development ideas. CBOs could work with the academe and research organizations to develop other innovative products. Research and commercialization of sakurab of medicinal purposes should also be considered. © FAO © • Participation in the export market. The LGU of Matanog has signed a 25-year memorandum of understanding with a Japanese firm for production of Sakurab kimchi for export. Initial discussions indicate that the LGU will supply the firm with 8 MT of fresh Sakurab monthly. Lanao del Sur CBOs of Sakurab farmers could explore potential participation as suppliers of LGU Matanog.

FINDINGS & RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Improve existing production practices to 3. Establish market outlets in potential high-demand produce higher yield. urban centers. CBO farmer-members should be trained to CBOs should have store outlets in urban centers increase the yield of their existing Sakurab (such as Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Illigan City gardens. A demo farm could be established and Cagayan de Oro) with substantial Maranao where trainings will be undertaken using the populations rather than relying on existing traders Farmer Field Schools approach to exhibit these to maximize economic benefit from sakurab. improved practices. A nursery could also be 4. CBOs can benefit from the following action points established to provide ready planting materials to in the future: farmer members. (a) Link CBOs to palapa processors in Iligan and Government agencies, such as the DA and ATI as Cagayan de Oro – well as the LGUs can be tapped to provide These suppliers may not be able to substantially training, coaching, inputs and other needed absorb CBO production volume, but they would infrastructure for the demo farm and nursery. be regular consumers especially as palapa 2. Capacitate existing CBOs to run a profitable consumption increases in the future. fresh Sakurab enterprise. CBOs have the potential to serve as a ready (b) Engage relevant agencies and organizations in market for their farmer members, then cleaning, developing innovative value-added products, sorting and bundling the Sakurab for selling assessing market potential, linking with and/or delivery to partner palapa processors. potential buyers and store outlets and They can also act as production managers to promoting palapa consumption – synchronize planting and harvesting. To Government agencies like DTI and DOST can capacitate CBOs, they should receive trainings in explore and develop new product ideas that enterprise development and leadership. utilizes sakurab. Other ideas include the use of Sakurab to potentially replace dehydrated chives in instant noodle packs.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 20

Representation in Philippines EN/1/01.20