TADIAN, Mountain Province -- The Department of Science and Technology-Cordillera Administrative Region(DOST-CAR) successfully rolled-out the enhanced nutribun (E-Nutribun) squash variant for the supplemental feeding program of the government for children through technology adoptor , Tadian Marie June Bakeshop, a beneficiary of the DOST-Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP).
With the help of the DOST- Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), the third E-Nutribun adoptor in CAR is expected to start its production soon as it has already undergone the required assessment and training and completed the requirements on the standards and protocol to produce the E-Nutribun.
Tadian Marie June Bakeshop is owned by SETUP cooperator Milagros Caridad G. Obedoza. She recently underwent a three day Virtual Technology Transfer Training of Enhanced Nutribun in Squash Variant hosted by DOST-FNRI .
SETUP-assisted firms, Mila’s Bakeshop and Canteen in Ifugao, and VFM Food Products in Apayao, earlier adopted the production of E-Nutribun.
DOST Provincial S&T Director Alfonso Berto, E-Nutribun adoptor Tadian Marie June Bakeshop’s Malou Quiño and Milagros Caridad Obedoza, and PSTC-Mt. Province staff Michelle Edpis show off the e nutribun now available in Mt. Province.
The E-nutribun is a bread made specially to help growing Filipino children get the nutrients they need. The squash variant is rich in fiber, energy, protein, calcium, potassium, iron, zinc and vitamin A and also has no trans-fat, cholesterol, artificial flavor, or food coloring. This product is one of those currently being used by the Department of Social Welfare and Development in its feeding programs.
Further, the DSWD in a 2020 circular, encouraged local government units to use DOST-FNRI-developed products along with healthy and nutritious family food packs and sustainable food source during community quarantine.
Based on the DOST-FNRI’s Rapid Nutrition Assessment Survey conducted between November and December 2020, only 11.9 percent of children aged 12 and below have participated in supplemental feeding programs — which was lower compared with the 21.6% participation of the targeted beneficiaries based on FNRI’s Expanded National Nutrition Survey.
DOST-CAR, through its Technology Transfer and Commercialization Program, aims to enhance the productivity of micro, small, and medium-scale enterprises from various sectors such as food processing at the same time to ensure the application of science-based processes and technological innovations through technical assistance.
DOST-CAR calls on entrepreneurs to continue working together not only of the economic opportunities for technology adoptors but also to spur livelihood opportunities for local vegetable farmers in the production and marketing of the E-Nutribun.
To date, there are 80 licensed adoptors of E-Nutribun across the country since it was launched in July last year.(DOST-CAR)
