Cultivating ginger is currently one of major livelihoods that sprung in  the hinterlands of Antique -- San Remigio town.

With its unique geography, humid conditions, and rich soils, the municipality is considered as among the most conducive areas to grow ginger.

Ginger, called “luy-a” in the native dialect, grows in all parts of the country, and is often used as one of the common ingredients among the local dishes.

Hence, the small-scale cultivators of Stone Cave United La Union Farmers Association (SCULFA) in San Remigio, Antique engaged in planting and propagating the plant.

Agricultural Development (SAAD) program has perceived that the production volume of the plant can hardly meet its current demand which they attribute to its many uses in whichever part of the country due to its health benefits.

Thus, the DA SAAD program has provided interventions to SCULFA, aiming to support their existing livelihood as ginger growers and by-product producers.

In year 2020, the association was identified as a beneficiary under the FY 2021 Ginger Production Project of DA SAAD where they were granted initially with 200 kilograms of ginger, 24 bags of complete fertilizer (14-14-14), 23 bags of muriate of potash (0-0-60), seven pieces each of plow and pieces harrow, and seven heads caracow with an overall cost of P36,100.00.

utilized as planting materials for every subsequent cropping.

As to processing, the powdered ginger tea is sealed in a ziplock stand-up pouch and sold at P100 for 100 grams and P220 for 200 grams.

Foreseeing the sustainability of their enterprise, 10 percent of the group’s income is remitted to the savings account of the association.

The locals also engage in the production of commercial crops such as bananas, peanuts, monggo, and vegetables, among others.

SCULFA president Miguelina Villasor expressed her gratitude to the DA SAAD, citing that the project has greatly helped the women in their community to earn a living especially those that have no jobs.

This only holds true that one small step creates a ripple.

Just like starting their venture from meager resources, SCULFA now come to expand to broader boundaries as they explore salabat processing, giving the ginger farmers a cup of hope for their future. (JBG/AGP/PIA6)